When getting through the day feels heavy and joyless, it is natural to wonder what has changed. Understanding the causes of depression can help you move from wondering what is wrong with you to recognizing that real factors are affecting your brain and body. This shift often makes it easier to ask for help.
At Synergy Strive in Columbia, also serving Towson and Silver Spring, your clinician listens to your story, not just your symptoms. Together, we will examine different aspects of your life, such as your physical health history, current stress levels, relationships, and other factors. With our help, depression stops feeling random and overwhelming, and becomes something you and your team can manage step by step.
Many think of depression as only related to feelings, but it often begins in the brain and body. Genetics can be a factor. If close family members have experienced major depressive disorder, your own risk may be higher. Brain chemistry and hormonal shifts may also be contributing factors.
Medical conditions such as chronic pain, heart disease, thyroid problems, or diabetes can increase vulnerability to biological sources of mood disorders. In addition, some medications may affect mood or energy levels. At Synergy Strive, our clinician reviews your medical history and current prescriptions to see whether health issues or medicines might be contributing to your depressed mood.
Even when biology is involved, daily life often affects when symptoms appear. When stressful events build with little time for recovery, your usual coping skills may become less effective. Common contributors to situational depression include:
Grief, trauma, or sudden changes in health can also deepen the strain. Over time, you may notice changes in sleep, withdrawal from activities you once enjoyed, and feelings of emotional numbness. Recognizing how life events can be associated with mood levels helps you and your clinician target these stressors in a way that is both practical and meaningful.
Thoughts and feelings can also maintain depressive symptoms. Persistent self-criticism, hopelessness, or guilt are powerful sources that continue to feed depression even after a stressful event has passed. For those experiencing depression with comorbid anxiety—also known as anxious depression—constant worry and physical tension add another layer of exhaustion.
Your environment also matters. Limited social support, discrimination, unstable housing, or unsafe surroundings can all increase your risk of depression. Our clinicians will consider how your surroundings affect sleep, motivation, and relationships, so that your treatment plan addresses both inner and outer stressors.
You do not have to deal with your depressive symptoms alone. When you work with Synergy Strive, your provider will help you understand the different causes of depression in your life, including biology, stressors, emotions, and environment.
If your mood, energy, or focus has changed and you are unsure why, reaching out is an act of strength. Contact us today to discuss your symptoms in confidence, so we can begin building your personalized plan for relief and stability.
