Psychological Reasons for Depression

Psychological Reasons for Depression

About one in ten people experiences depression. Depression requires a trigger, which is usually a negative experience that an individual goes through. An example of such a trigger would be a breakup, an illness, the loss of a loved one, living a stressful life, or experiencing a traumatic event, just to name a few. There are biological, social, and psychological reasons why people get depression. In this regard, this paper will explore the psychological reasons for depression. Notably, people’s susceptibility to depression differs due to various reasons, which means that an event that would be a trigger for one individual may not have the same effect on another.

Psychological Disorders

The first psychological reason for depression is having a psychological disorder. Many psychological health conditions, including anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, are linked with disruptions in neurotransmitter systems in the brain, particularly serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters play crucial roles in regulating mood, emotions, and stress responses. Alterations in these neurotransmitter systems can predispose individuals to depression by fluctuating mood regulation and emotional processing. Subsequently, psychological disorders often involve chronic stress due to the negative impact on one’s life. To elaborate further, psychological disorders can have profound and far-reaching effects on various aspects of an individual’s life, including their emotional well-being, social relationships, occupational functioning, and overall quality of life. Mental disorders often involve intense and distressing emotions such as anxiety, sadness, fear, anger, or shame. These emotions can be overwhelming and debilitating, leading to significant psychological suffering and a reduced capacity to experience positive emotions. Psychological disorders can impair an individual’s ability to function effectively in daily life. Symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and cognitive deficits can interfere with work, school, and other responsibilities. This impairment can lead to decreased productivity, absenteeism, academic underachievement, and financial difficulties.

Psychological disorders can lead to social withdrawal, interpersonal conflicts, and difficulties in forming and maintaining relationships. These disorders can strain relationships with family members, friends, romantic partners, and colleagues. For instance, symptoms such as irritability, mood swings, social withdrawal, and unpredictable behavior can create tension, misunderstandings, and conflict in interpersonal relationships. Communication breakdowns, trust issues, and caregiving burdens can further strain relationships and contribute to social dysfunction. Besides, stigma surrounding mental illness may contribute to social rejection, discrimination, and feelings of loneliness and alienation.

Additionally, psychological disorders can significantly diminish an individual’s overall quality of life by impairing emotional well-being, social functioning, occupational satisfaction, physical health, and personal fulfillment. The pervasive impact of psychological disorders on multiple domains of life can lead to feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and despair. Overall, if not handled well the impact of a diagnosis of psychological disorder in one’s life is an opening to a stressful life. Chronic stress can dysregulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to prolonged activation of the stress response system and elevated levels of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone (Juruena et al., 2021). In other words, chronic stress can contribute to structural and functional changes in the brain, particularly in regions involved in mood regulation and stress response, increasing vulnerability to depression.

Overall, psychological disorders negatively impact life by undermining emotional well-being, impairing functioning, disrupting relationships, increasing the risk of substance abuse and physical health problems, and diminishing overall quality of life, all of which are factors associated with depression. Moreover, adverse experiences during early childhood, such as trauma, neglect, or abuse, can also have long-lasting effects on brain development and increase the risk of depression later in life. Early-life adversity can lead to alterations in stress response systems, changes in neurobiological pathways, and disruptions in attachment relationships, all of which contribute to the development of depression. An example of this is evident in the glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs), which are key components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis (the body’s primary stress response system). Trauma tends to dysregulate the functioning of GRs and MRs, leading to alterations in the sensitivity and responsiveness of these receptors to stress hormones such as cortisol. Therefore, chronic exposure to trauma-related stress can result in downregulation or desensitization of GRs and MRs, reducing the body’s ability to regulate stress effectively and increasing vulnerability to stress-related disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.

Maladaptive Coping

Avoidance

The second psychological reason for depression is due to maladaptive coping, which refers to strategies individuals use to deal with stress or difficult emotions that ultimately exacerbate their problems rather than alleviate them. One common maladaptive coping strategy is avoidance, whereby individuals tend to ignore or avoid stressful situations or emotions rather than confronting them. While this behavior may provide temporary relief, it eventually perpetuates problems by preventing individuals from addressing underlying issues. Over time, this avoidance leads to increased stress and a sense of helplessness, which are risk factors for depression.

Drug Abuse

Another maladaptive coping strategy is substance abuse, including the excessive use of alcohol, drugs, or other addictive substances. While substances may initially provide temporary relief from stress or negative emotions, they often lead to long-term consequences such as impaired judgment, health problems, and worsening mental health. Notably, drug abuse is strongly associated with depression, as it can disrupt brain chemistry and exacerbate feelings of unhappiness and ineptness (Miteva et al., n.d). For example, numerous drugs, particularly stimulants like cocaine and amphetamines, as well as opioids like heroin and prescription painkillers, intensify the release of dopamine in the brain’s reward pathway. Dopamine is usually involved in pleasure, motivation, and reinforcement of behaviors. However, chronic use of such drugs can lead to desensitization of dopamine receptors, reducing natural reward responses and increasing the risk of anhedonia (inability to experience pleasure) and dysphoria (persistent sadness or dissatisfaction) (Miteva et al., n.d). Another drug that alters brain chemistry and increases the chance of depression is MDMA (ecstasy) and LSD, which affect serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin plays a key role in regulating mood, emotions, and sleep-wake cycles. As such, imbalances in serotonin levels can lead to mood swings, emotional instability, and increased vulnerability to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Social Withdrawal

A third maladaptive coping strategy is social withdrawal. This strategy involves the withdrawal from social interactions and isolating oneself from others. Social withdrawal can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and alienation, which are associated with depression (Ladd et al., 2021). Additionally, social support is a crucial protective factor against depression, so withdrawing from supportive relationships can further increase vulnerability to depressive symptoms. Overall, maladaptive coping strategies can perpetuate a cycle of stress, negative emotions, and dysfunctional behaviors that contribute to the development and maintenance of depression. It is vital for people to identify maladaptive coping patterns and seek healthier alternatives, such as seeking professional help, engaging in self-care activities, and developing effective problem-solving skills. Therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help individuals learn adaptive coping strategies and break free from the cycle of depression.

Neuroticism/Negative Emotionality

A third psychological reason for depression is neuroticism/negative emotionality, which is a personality trait characterized by a tendency to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness, irritability, and self-doubt. Neurotic individuals are more sensitive to stressors and tend to perceive events as more threatening or overwhelming than they may be (Barlow et al., 2014). This heightened sensitivity or being overwhelmed all the time can lead to chronic stress, which is a significant risk factor for depression. Over time, the cumulative effect of stressors can wear down an individual’s psychological resilience and contribute to the onset of depressive symptoms. Secondly, neuroticism is associated with negative cognitive patterns such as rumination, catastrophizing, and excessive self-criticism (Barlow et al., 2014). These cognitive tendencies can amplify negative emotions and lead to a cycle of pessimistic thinking, which is characteristic of depression. For example, neurotic individuals may dwell on past mistakes, anticipate future failures, and interpret ambiguous situations in a negative light, all of which contribute to feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness.

Further, neurotic individuals often have difficulty regulating their emotions and coping effectively with distressing feelings. They may engage in maladaptive coping strategies, as explained before, which can exacerbate psychological distress and increase vulnerability to depression. Moreover, the inability to effectively cope with emotions can lead to a sense of helplessness and loss of control, which are common features of depression. Neuroticism is also associated with interpersonal difficulties such as conflict, hostility, and social withdrawal—this is no surprise, as neuroticism is negatively linked to social trust (Weinschenk & Dawes, 2019). These interpersonal problems can contribute to feelings of loneliness, rejection, and alienation, which are risk factors for depression. In addition, lack of trust results in strained relationships, which then limit the availability of social support, a crucial protective factor against depression. The lack of supportive relationships can further exacerbate feelings of isolation and despair in neurotic individuals. Moreover, neuroticism has been linked to alterations in brain structure and function, including differences in the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and limbic system (Silverman et al., 2019). These neural differences may predispose neurotic individuals to dysregulated emotional responses and increased susceptibility to mood disorders such as depression.

Attachment theory, developed by John Bowlby and later expanded upon by Mary Ainsworth, suggests that the quality of early relationships with caregivers influences individuals’ attachment styles, which in turn shape their emotional regulation, interpersonal relationships, and mental health outcomes throughout life (Fletcher & Gallichan, 2016). There are four categories of attachment, including avoidant, disorganized, and anxious. These three are classified as insecure attachment, and the fourth one is secure attachment. Individuals with a dismissing attachment style tend to downplay the importance of attachment relationships and may exhibit emotional avoidance or detachment in relationships. They may have learned to suppress or minimize their emotions, particularly negative emotions, as a coping mechanism. Dismissing attachment has been associated with higher levels of emotional distress, difficulty seeking social support, and reduced intimacy in relationships, all of which can contribute to feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, and depression. In addition, dismissing attachment is also linked to an increased risk of suicidal ideation, particularly among adolescents and young adults who may lack adequate coping strategies for managing distress.

Fearful attachment, also known as disorganized attachment, is characterized by a combination of anxiety and avoidance in relationships. Individuals with a fearful attachment style may have experienced inconsistent or abusive caregiving in childhood, leading to a sense of fear and mistrust in relationships. Fearful attachment is associated with higher rates of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and trauma-related symptoms, all of which increase the risk of suicidal ideation and depression. The unresolved trauma and unresolved loss often associated with fearful attachment can contribute to emotional dysregulation, self-destructive behaviors, and difficulty forming and maintaining stable relationships. Preoccupied attachment involves hyperactivation of the attachment system, leading to excessive dependency, anxiety, and preoccupation with relationships. Individuals with a preoccupied attachment style may have experienced inconsistent caregiving or parental intrusiveness in childhood, leading to a chronic need for validation and reassurance in relationships.

Preoccupied attachment is associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, and interpersonal difficulties, all of which increase the risk of suicidal ideation. The intense fear of abandonment and rejection characteristic of preoccupied attachment can lead to feelings of worthlessness, despair, and hopelessness, which are common precursors to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Moreover, Fattouh et al. (2022) conducted a study that showed a positive link between insecure attachment styles and higher levels of depression, among other mental disorders. Accordingly, the hypothesis of the study was that insecure attachment styles, including dismissing, fearful, and preoccupied, would have an association with higher mental illness, including suicidal ideation and depression, and the results of the study confirmed this hypothesis.

Cognitive Fusion

Another psychological reason for depression is cognitive fusion. Cognitive fusion is a concept rooted in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy. It refers to the tendency of individuals to become entangled or fused with their thoughts, beliefs, and emotions, such that they identify strongly with them and treat them as literal truths rather than as passing mental events. In the context of depression, cognitive fusion can exacerbate symptoms and contribute to the maintenance of depressive episodes through negative thought patterns. Almost every individual often or sometimes experiences a barrage of negative thoughts about themselves, their circumstances, and their future. This can be a result of different things, from low self-esteem, bullying, or constantly comparing ourselves to others, among others. Nonetheless, cognitive fusion can lead people to indisputably accept these negative thoughts as truthful reflections of reality, fortifying outlooks of worthlessness, hopelessness, and dejection.

Conclusion

In conclusion, psychological reasons such as maladaptive coping strategies, co-occurring psychological disorders, neuroticism, cognitive fusion, and insecure attachment styles can contribute to the development and maintenance of depression by influencing cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal processes. Further, the effect that trauma has on the brain development is extensive. Trauma leads to physical changes in the brain that then hinder its development in crucial areas, especially when it comes to emotional development. These damages caused by trauma usually result in emotion dysregulation. Notably, addressing these psychological factors through evidence-based interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and attachment-based interventions, is crucial for effectively treating depression and promoting long-term recovery.

References

Barlow, D. H., Ellard, K. K., Sauer-Zavala, S., Bullis, J. R., & Carl, J. R. (2014). The origins of neuroticism. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 9(5), 481-496.

Fattouh, N., Haddad, C., Salameh, P., Sacre, H., Hallit, R., Soufia, M., & Obeid, S. (2022). A national study of the association of attachment styles with depression, social anxiety, and suicidal ideation among Lebanese adolescents. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 24(3), 41070.

Fletcher, H. K., & Gallichan, D. J. (2016). An overview of attachment theory: Bowlby and beyond. Attachment in intellectual and developmental disability: A clinician’s guide to practice and research, 8-32.

Juruena, M. F., Bourne, M., Young, A. H., & Cleare, A. J. (2021). Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysfunction by early life stress. Neuroscience Letters, 759, 136037.

Ladd, G. W., Troop-Gordon, W., Ettekal, I., & Kochenderfer-Ladd, B. (2021). From social withdrawal to depression: A quasireplication and extension of Boivin, Hymel, and Bukowski (1995). Developmental psychology, 57(12), 2032.

Miteva, R., Abrashev, H., & Nikolova, G. (n.d.). Illicit substances on dopamine receptors and brain.

Remes, O., Mendes, J. F., & Templeton, P. (2021). Biological, psychological, and social determinants of depression: A review of recent literature. Brain sciences, 11(12), 1633.

Silverman, M. H., Wilson, S., Ramsay, I. S., Hunt, R. H., Thomas, K. M., Krueger, R. F., & Iacono, W. G. (2019). Trait neuroticism and emotion neurocircuitry: Functional magnetic resonance imaging evidence for a failure in emotion regulation. Development and Psychopathology, 31(3), 1085-1099.

Weinschenk, A. C., & Dawes, C. T. (2019). The genetic and psychological underpinnings of generalized social trust. Journal of Trust Research, 9(1), 47-65.

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What are the key psychological factors that contribute to the development of depression, and how do they influence an individual’s emotional and behavioral responses?