Depression: Why Me?

Depression can happen to anyone at any time in their life. If you find yourself asking “why me?”, you aren’t alone. According to the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), about 15.7 million adults in the U.S. had at least a major depressive episode in 2013. Not fully comprehending what you are experiencing can be frustrating and overwhelming.

A diagnosis of depression can leave you feeling a number of emotions – shock, denial, anger, grief, even shame and confusion. You may not know what steps to take next or how to address your depressive symptoms, therapy can help.

Why Me?

No one can really say why some people experience depression and others don’t. Depression can be many things, easy to understand is not generally one of them. Experts say nobody is really “immune” to depression, it can happen to anyone. There are several factors that are thought to influence depression – your genetics, personality, stressful life events, work environment, living conditions, medical conditions etc. All these factors can potentially combine and ultimately lead to depression.

Predisposing Factors

There are certain factors that make depression more likely to occur. While these factors don’t necessarily lead to depression in all cases, they are often found to be contributing factors for many.

  • Biological Factors: Depression is often found to be related to irregularities in neurotransmitters in the brain, hormone imbalance, unhealthy blood sugar levels, etc. Your physical health can play a large role in your mental health.
  • Mindset: You perceive the world according to your personal experiences and history. Having negative thoughts, low self-esteem, feeling unaccepted, isolating etc. can result in your being more prone to depression.
  • Sociological Factors: If you grew up in an environment where you are surrounded by people who constantly criticize you or belittle you, you may be more susceptible to depression. You can choose your responses and attitudes toward these people, but this can take a lot of skill and practice.

What Now?

It isn’t your fault that you are experiencing depression, however, you can choose what you do next. Knowing what depression is and what makes it more likely to occur can help you find the right help before your symptoms worsen. If you believe you may be developing depression, counseling can help. There are fully licensed, independently contracted therapists with Carolina Counseling Services – Southern Pines, NC who are available to help you! Call today to schedule your first appointment.

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