At the most basic level, nobody really knows what causes depression. The dominant theory is that it is a result of low levels of certain neurotransmitters (messenger chemicals that carry signals from one nerve cell to the next) in the brain. This is called the 'monoamine theory' of depression - monoamines being the group of chemicals that these neurotransmitters belong to.
The neurotransmitters thought to be involved are serotonin (which helps regulate emotion, sleep and appetite), noradrenalin (which is linked to arousal and alertness), and dopamine (which is associated with pleasure and reward). People with depression are known to have lower brain levels of these chemicals whether caused by hereditary factors, major adverse life events, inability to resist stress or poor lifestyle factors such as inadequate diet and digestion, lack of exercise, inappropriate (i.e. negative) styles of thinking and so on. Drugs can help in the short term to elevate these chemical levels and so help to lift mood. Self help techniques are believed to play an increasingly critical role in alleviating symptoms and preventing relapses. As it is not known for sure whether monoamines are the primary cause of depression, or whether other factors are causing both the lowered neurotransmitter levels and the depression much focus is being placed today on making positive and long term changes in these aforementioned life style factors.
The following are the causes of depression
1) Biological Factors
2) Genetic disorders
3) Social-environmental Factors
4) Stress
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