This forms the crux of the problem. Various problems that are billed as the causes of depression generally lead to a change in the neurotransmitter levels in the brain. These are the chemicals that help transmit signals in the central nervous system. The imbalance results in erratic situations. It is a manifestation of depression.

A sense of unfamiliarity moves a person out of his comfort zone. This may also give rise to a longing for the earlier environment. A person may then show a tendency to resist the change. In such a scenario, the person is unlikely to try and get accustomed to the new situation. Medical help will save the problem from acquiring a worse form.

Medication for various diseases may bring about chemical changes that give rise to depression. In the earlier stages of treatment even antidepressants may further aggravate the problem. The weight gain that accompanies several kinds of medicines also causes people to lose their sense of self worth and depression follows.

Elderly people with lack of resources to take care of themselves and a sense of loneliness are at a high risk of depression. The risk is not any less pronounced in middle aged people. It is this age group that sees the largest number of reported cases. It may be due to the difficulty of adjusting to the fact that one is aging or perhaps a sense of underachievement in the perennially competitive, career driven environment one lives in. Suicidal tendencies are common in these cases.

People taking drugs are often victims of chronic depression. Drugs give them a temporary sense of relief from their problems, but the intake of drugs only further feeds their problem. Medical intervention is a must to avoid the problem turning fatal.

This may relate to problems in the personal life of a person or an upheaval in the professional life. Any occurrence that gives a sense of loss to a person generally leads to the person withdrawing from the social scene. People get more drawn into their feeling of loss that they may even turn suicidal. Emotional problems are accompanied by chemical changes that give shape to depression. 

A history of problems in childhood can show up in people’s behavior in the later stages of life. It affects the way the person reacts to problems, often seeking immediate solutions or running away from issues. Medication in this case helps bring back the chemical balance of the brain.

Postpartum depression is common amongst women. Hormonal changes arising out of changes in menstrual cycle or menopause also make women prone to anxiety and, subsequently, depression. Depression is not just a problem related to how one feels. Mood alleviation does not offer a solution. Chemical changes also cause depression as is manifested in this case. Consulting a medical health professional and medication are thus required.

People suffering from life threatening diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular problems may exhibit signs of depression. This may be due to a sense of helplessness associated with their medical condition where people lose all hope and become victims of anxiety. In other cases, medication may cause a hormonal imbalance in the body. Thyroid problems are also known to manifest themselves in the form of depression. Lethargy and a reclusive behavior are also commonly observed.

It is observed that people with certain kind of genetic make up are more susceptible to depression. If a person has a family history of depression cases across generations, the person may be at a risk of becoming chronically depressed if the situation is coupled with emotional stress. For the same levels of stress in two people, the one with a genetic makeup prone to depression is three times more likely to suffer from the problem.