• Environment. Reactions to events, often a loss in some form, are perhaps the most obvious causes. This loss may be obvious, such as the loss of a loved one, or having moved from one house to another, or less obvious, such as disillusionment about one's career prospects.
  
  A lack of control of one's environment can lead to feelings of helplessness. Domestic disputes and financial difficulties are common causes of a depressed mood. Other causes of depression are climatic conditions, such as a rainy weather and a lack of sunlight, loneliness, and feelings that one isn't cared about by others.
  
  
• Internal Psychological Factors. Sometimes the depressed mood may relate more to internal processes or even be triggered by them. Pessimistic views of life or a lack of self-esteem can lead to depression. Illnesses and changes in cognition that occur in psychoses and dementias, to name but two, can lead to depression.
  
  
• Fatigue. Study says, in many cases, simply suffering from sleep deprivation and fatigue, which cause symptoms of depression.
  
  
• Anxiety. Anxiety and stress can both cause a down swing in mood and can lead to a more serious state of depression if left unchecked.
  
  
• Biological Models Of Causation. These are varied but generally include hereditary, neurotransmitter, hormonal, illness and seasonal factors which are more fully discussed in the clinical depression article.

 

• Self-help for depression. Depression involves feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. This makes it difficult to take the steps needed to heal. The key is to start small and build from there. If you develop your own recovery plan and stick to it, making positive choices for yourself every day, you will feel better.
  
  
• Helping a depressed person. Overcoming depression is much easier with the support and understanding of family and friends. If someone you care about is depressed, you can speed his or her recovery by learning what you can do to help. Your help, however, should never come at your own emotional expense. If you look after your own needs, you will be in a better position to take care of your depressed friend, partner, or relative.
  
  
• Professional help for depression. If you think you or someone you care about has depression, seek professional help right away. Other medical conditions can sometimes look like depression, so it is important to get a complete evaluation. If depression is diagnosed, your doctor or therapist will help you start on a personalized treatment plan. The most common approach involves therapy, medication, or a combination of the two.