Is my depression caused by my life circumstances or because of a chemical imbalance? ?

Question

I am 19 years old and I have had countless bouts of sadness. I have gone through 6 years of h**l living and dealing with a violent drug abusing father. My grandmother, who I was extremely close with, passed away when I was 14. I had to work a couple of part time jobs through out my high school years.

I have had many bad experiences in life but I sometimes question as to why I feel depressed for no reason.

Even though nothing is happening I feel really down. My first year at college was filled with pains in my joints, headaches and sadness.

Even though I was learning about the things I am passionate about I still felt down and just wanted to crawl into a little ball.

I notice that I have to distract myself constantly to avoid this feeling . It it as though I am a shark. I have to keep going or else I fall deeper.

I have strongly considered going to a psychologist but I do not end up going because I feel better. It is like I go through cycles of a sense of contentment and sadness.

I am a relatively content person. I love photography and digital art. I love listening to music and taking long walks. I am passionate about public health and sociology, BUT in the end of the day I still feel down and depressed.

I do not know what is wrong with me.

Any advice as to what is my problem?

Please no hateful comments.

Answer 1

Probably a bit of both.  It doesn't matter ~ Just know that you are special & are amazing to get thru school, a few jobs & still cope with your father.  WELL DONE TO YOU!

We all have down days ~ try to do one thing EVERY DAY that you really enjoy.  Doesn't have to be anything significant, just something that will make you smile!

Perhaps see your GP & ask about anti-depressants because they do help or ask to speak to a Psychologist.  Youre not crazy ~ youv'e had a lot to deal with by the sounds of it & your only 19.  It's great to talk to someone who can give you advise.  Maybe a Pastor or Church leader or the like if that helps?

ALL THE BEST  ~  YOU ARE DOING GREAT!  Chin-up!

xxxx

Answer 2

Repressed anger is not a cause directly. But false hopes that are erased cause of all depressions. The brain makes chemicals when erasing hopes. These dissipate in several ways. Some ways make false hopes again.

Answer 3

Depression can be triggered by things that have happened in your life - many mental disorders can, including schizophrenia and bipolar. Stress is a trigger for mental illness as much as physical illness.

When it becomes true depression and not circumstantial sadness, is when it goes on for longer than would be considered normal, and begins to impair your wellbeing.

If you think you could benefit from a psychologist, you probably could. You already know that you get depression in cycles. Which means you know that even when you feel well, it will likely come back again. But what if doing something about it (even if you feel fine RIGHT NOW) could stop it from coming back again? Why wait? Why become complacent?

Give it a shot. You don't have anything to lose, and a lot to gain.

Answer 4

Personally, I think its because of repressed issues during your life. But honestly, don't take it from me... or anyone here. Go to a professional psychiatrist or doctor, and get a formal evaluation. Don't trust your well being to people on the internet.

Answer 5

It could be a combination of both. Sometimes our psyches are so damaged from life's c**p that our brains get into a funk. It stops making the serotonin it needs and that causes mood problems. You should consider going to a counselor or psychologist and talk about your problems.  

Answer 6

There could be a number of different reasons why you feel this way. I used to feel the same way Please take this into consideration. It worked for me, although I am not you.

I was extremely depressed. It turned out to be a chemical they put in food called sucralose. And it is in a lot of stuff. From fitness water to tomato sauce.

Sucralose is what Splenda is. Sadly, the package doesn't have to say Splenda or diet to have sucralose in it. You have to read the ingredients.



Sucralose is poison. It ruined five years of my life. I had a laundry list of medical problems while taking it, including overwhelming anxiety, depression, mood swings, insomnia, gastrointestinal issues and more.



The slogan, "Made from sugar..." is very misleading. Splenda might be made from sugar, but it is far from sugar. The resulting chemical is an organochloride (chlorocarbon). Organochlorides are typically poisons.



carbon monoxide - made from oxygen so its like a breath of fresh air

Answer 7

Hunny, you need to get professional help. NOT because there is something wrong with you, but because your past is ruining your present. You have done so well thus far, going to college, planning your future etc. Go to your GP and ask to see a counsellor, preferably one who is open to other therapies such as CBT, NLP and EFT. A good one will give you your life back. Good luck x

Answer 8

well seeing as i have PTSD it sounds like you may have some symptoms of that too. thats post traumatic stress disorder. because alot of unpleasant things happened to you when you were young. and its ok to feel down or sad sometimes, especially if you have a reason, but all you probably need to do is sit down and think what is making you so sad, or depressed, and if that doesnt help than maybe you just have to deal with it, depression happens, and you may just have to take some medication or talk to someone. good luck hun!!!

Answer 9

Honestly i cant say that ive been through half of what you have. But I've had the same symptoms you describe above also being 19 i believe that it may well just be a chemical imbalance... or something along those lines. cycles of ups and downs afflict many of our age and everyone seems to deal with it in their own way, so either find somthing that takes away the pain or consult your doctor.

also fyi sharks dont need to keep moving they just need a current to pass through their gills.  

Answer 10

You won't get any hateful comments from me.  I am so sorry for what you went through with your dad.  Depression is a real thing and it can cause physical pain.  It is a proven fact.  I don't believe you are bi-polar. I believe it stems from childhood.  If your father was constantly abusing you because of drugs, that effect on your mind can last a lifetime.  You should see someone.  You need to talk about it and learn that your dad's problem was a sickness.  Was he still abusive when he was not on drugs?  I admire your ability to deter yourself away from the depressive feelings by doing other things, but you still need to talk to a specialist.  I know you will feel better once you do and a lot of things will become clearer to you.  I wish you the best.

Answer 11

Depression is caused by the lack of serotonin in your brain which is caused by the lack of omega 3 fatty acids in your brain.A deficiency that most of the humans on this planet have.

Start the omega 3 diet.I have researched omega 3 acids for 2 years and performed a very successful experiment on myself and few of my volunteer friends.Few months of the omega 3 diet i cured my stress[and/or depression] problems permanently and significantly raised my intelligence,improved memory,sight,reflexes[and many other known and unknown benefits]and without any drugs or supplements in the form of pills.

http://www.naturalnews.com/021119.html

Take two table spoons of grinded flaxseed[rich with omega 3 and cheap]a day[with a glass of water] and in a few months you will start to notice significant improvement in your mental health[you will become more psychologically stable,among other things].Use a coffee grinder.Whole seeds cannot be digested by the hydrochloric acid in our stomach only grinded seeds.A fact and not a assumption.You have nothing to loose only gain by it.There are many articles on the internet about the omega 3.2 years ago before i started the diet i did not feel so stable or happy how i feel today.

Flax is the best source of ALA omega 3 fatty acid which our body converts to more important fatty acids called DHA and EPA.For the efficient conversion to take place,foods containing a large amount of the following nutrients must be consumed along with the flaxseed:C,B3,B6 [vitamins],zink and Magnesium [minerals].I recommend 3 table spoons of flax with 100 grams[or more if to your liking] of almonds and/or 250g of green peas,1 kiwi every day.[do not take more then 3 table spoons of flax because large amounts can cause intestinal gases which can cause abdominal pain and/or constipation.If three spoons causes abdominal discomfort lower the dosage to 2 table spoons of grinded flax and elevate it to 3 table spoons after your body adapts to high fiber content].The flaxseed itself is not important.The omega 3 that are inside them are.

The information in the following link should provide you with the nutritional facts of most if not all known fruits and

vegetables:http://www.nutritiondata.com

Answer 12

Sounds like you have your regular share of "MOOD SWINGS"

* This often happens when you feel that you have no one in real who you can share your THOUGHTS with (remember just "talking" aint the same as meaningful process of sharing what you think!!)

* Make sure you are out in the sunshine for at least 20 minutes a day (research shows that the Vitamin D and the day light keeps your mind fresh and alive!!!)

* Take Omega 3 pills (which maintain some of the chemicals in mind)

* Learn to enjoy life even if you THINK it isnt very flash or great ....listen to others....see their point of view.....so that it takes your mind off your own issues and infact gives you an idea that life isnt just about pity things!!!!