Many people have over the years always felt ashamed of admitting that they are suffering from depression fearing that others would take them to be emotionally weak. This should however not be the case since causes of depression are often beyond our control and most of the time we actually need others to help us come out of this terrible health condition. Depression is a health problem that leaves the patient feeling unworthy, helpless, hopeless, withdrawn, extremely sad and may often find himself or herself always crying for no major reason. If these conditions are left untreated, the patient may start having suicidal thoughts among other dangerous thoughts and again if not attended to, the patient may fulfill them eventually.

Causes of depression vary from each other depending on the situation you are in at that particular moment. These causes may generate from biological factors, emotional factors such as loss of a loved one, genetical factors, lifestyle influences such as stressful work, environmental changes like seasonal changes, among many other factors. All these causes can make you unable to solve very simple problems and in return you feel incompetent. 

In women, all the above mentioned causes of depression can play a major role in making them depressed. Biological factors such as hormonal imbalance in the body are usually thought to directly affect the brain and this action interferes with the mood or emotional status of the person. The hormonal imbalance may come as a result of menstrual periods, child birth or pregnancy. However, apart from these factors, the other causes of depression usually need no much treatment since only family support is required to help the patient come out of the condition although if the situation becomes advanced, a professional opinion may be necessary.

On the other hand, the major causes of depression in men are either genetically established or influenced by the person's lifestyle. In cases where the depression has genetically been triggered, the patient may experience symptoms such as insomnia (inability to sleep) or mood swings. Insomnia can be treatable but often keeps on recurring but in cases of mood swings, nothing much can be done and all is usually left to the patient. Lifestyle influences that make men depressed may include, poor living conditions, a business deal gone sour or a malfunctioning marriage or relationship. These factors can make one not to concentrate in most things since you will always find yourself withdrawn thinking of all possible solutions to your problems. To come out of this problem, a strong will and family support are usually key ingredients for a successful outcome.

For teenagers, causes of depression are most of the time emotionally driven. Since this is the time that the teenager wants to establish a distinct identity from his or her parents,he tries to fit in with others and other teenage hood problems. When all these do not workout according to the way the teenager had anticipated, then he or she may start getting moody and easily irritated. This is however different for elderly people. Depression in them often comes as a result of medical conditions such as stroke, heart disease or cancer. In addition to these,the side effects of the various medicines which they take in order to treat the numerous health conditions they are suffering from also affect the brain and are a good cause of depression too.

Wangeci Kinyanjui is an expert on research and reporting on Health Matters for years.To get more information on causes of depression visit her site at <a href="http://www.goshriek.com/?p=238">CAUSES OF DEPRESSION</a>