Causes There is no one cause for depression. Personality, personal relationships, physical health, and genetics are all factors. People who are highly self-critical, very demanding, or unusually passive may be prone to depression. Problems with a spouse, a child, or an employer can cause depression. Imbalances in the chemicals in the brain due to illness, infection, or medications can be a cause.
Substance abuse can be a symptom of depression, but also a cause.
And while depression cannot be inherited, it does seem to be more prevalent in some families. As with most illnesses, treatment is easiest and most effective when begun early. Psychotherapy in the forms of counseling, group sessions, and psychoanalysis are valuable tools in treating depression. This treatment method is not used by the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Prevention Depression cannot always be avoided, but because it is often related to stress and physical problems, it is possible to lessen the chances of becoming severely depressed.