Is it normal to feel depressed for no reason

Researchers are still learning about all the different mechanisms that drive depression. Some factors that contribute to depression include:. Depression can make it much more challenging to address factors that might be contributing to depression, such as substance use or diet. As much as it is a mental illness, depression can also be physical. Symptoms like chronic pain and fatigue can make it difficult for people to take on lifestyle modifications, such as exercise, even if they want to and believe they could help.

To make these changes and stick with them people need to have the right tools and a good deal of support. To get treatment, a person with depression needs to feel safe talking about how they are feeling. Looking at the causes helps people both those with depression and those who want to support them understand that being depressed is a medical condition , not a choice. Depression can be, needs to be, and deserves to be treated. However, there are many different ways to treat the condition.

What works for one person may not work for another, and some people have to try many different options before finding something effective.

Know this: Every person with depression deserves treatment. How well a specific treatment works also depends on the type of depression a person is experiencing. Psychotherapy is one of the first-line options used to treat depression.

While there are many types available, cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT is a frequently used and effective option. It addresses the negative thoughts that contribute to depression. It may help you see that your thoughts might be contributing to your symptoms. Online therapy options are also available. These can provide a convenient and sometimes more affordable way to access treatment for depression. Such programs can also be a useful supplement to in-person.

Antidepressant medications such as Prozac fluoxetine and Zoloft sertraline , are commonly prescribed for depression. Medications are often used in combination with psychotherapy. Research indicates that for many people, using therapy and antidepressants together can effectively treat depression. However, these interventions alone may not adequately address symptoms for every person with depression.

In these cases, other types of treatment such as electroconvulsive therapy ECT can be used. ECT involves the brief application of an electrical pulse to the scalp in order to produce a seizure. Newer depression treatments include various types of brain stimulation therapy such as vagus nerve stimulation VNS and transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS. If someone you care about is dealing with depression, you may not be sure how to support them.

Even if you aren't mad or speaking in anger, depression can make it harder for a person to really hear what you are saying. If the person is already struggling to understand why they are depressed, comments like these can reinforce feelings of guilt. While it might feel like you are depressed or sad for no reason , it may be that there are multiple causes contributing to what you are feeling. Focusing more on these underlying causes instead of looking for "reasons" for depression can be more helpful.

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression such as low mood, irritability, and a loss of interest in the things you used to enjoy, talk to your doctor. Exploring your treatment options can get you back on track and feeling better.

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database. Everything feels more challenging when you're dealing with depression. Some people inherit genes that contribute to depression. But not everyone who has a family member with depression will develop it too. And many people with no family history of depression still get depressed. So genes are one factor, but they aren't the only reason for depression. Chemicals called neurotransmitters pronounced: nur-oh-TRANZ-mit-urs help send messages between nerve cells in the brain.

Some neurotransmitters regulate mood. When a person is depressed, these neurotransmitters might be in low supply or not effective enough. Genes and brain chemistry can be connected: Having the genes for depression may make a person more likely to have the neurotransmitter problem that is part of depression. Things like stress, using alcohol or drugs, and hormone changes also affect the brain's delicate chemistry and mood.

Some health conditions may cause depression-like symptoms. For example, hypothyroidism is known to cause a depressed mood in some people. Mono can drain a person's energy. When health conditions are diagnosed and treated by a doctor, the depression-like symptoms usually disappear.

Getting enough sleep and regular exercise often has a positive effect on neurotransmitter activity and mood. Daylight affects how the brain produces melatonin and serotonin. These neurotransmitters help regulate a person's sleep—wake cycles, energy, and mood. When there is less daylight, the brain produces more melatonin. When there is more daylight, the brain makes more serotonin. Shorter days and longer hours of darkness in fall and winter may lead the body to have more melatonin and less serotonin.

This imbalance is what creates the conditions for depression in some people — a condition known as seasonal affective disorder SAD. Exposure to light can help improve mood for people affected by SAD. The death of a family member, friend, or pet sometimes goes beyond normal grief and leads to depression.

They range from lasting feelings of unhappiness and hopelessness, to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety. There can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and various aches and pains.

The symptoms of depression range from mild to severe. At its mildest, you may simply feel persistently low in spirit, while severe depression can make you feel suicidal, that life is no longer worth living. Most people experience feelings of stress, anxiety or low mood during difficult times. A low mood may improve after a short period of time, rather than being a sign of depression. It's important to seek help from a GP if you think you may be depressed. Many people wait a long time before seeking help for depression, but it's best not to delay.

The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can be on the way to recovery. Sometimes there's a trigger for depression. Life-changing events, such as bereavement, losing your job or giving birth, can bring it on. People with a family history of depression are more likely to experience it themselves. But you can also become depressed for no obvious reason.