Why Am I Depressed for No Reason?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLived Experience“Causes” Not “Reasons”Will Depression Treatment Help?Understanding Depression

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Table of Contents

Lived Experience

“Causes” Not “Reasons”

Will Depression Treatment Help?

Understanding Depression

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However, some people become depressed and don’t know why. They may feel they don’t have a “reason” to be depressed—especially if they perceive their life as being “good” or “easy” compared to others. The pressure to explain or justify how they feel can make depression worse and may prevent them from getting the necessary treatment.

If you’re wondering, “Why am I depressed?” and have no real answers, it’s helpful to know some potential causes of depression. We also share treatment options so you can start to feel better again.

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The Lived Experience of Depression

A person who is in good physical health, employed, has a safe home to live in, enough money to care for themselves and their family, has supportive friends, and hobbies may struggle to comprehend why they feel persistently sad, angry, or irritable.

In the absence ofa clear “trigger”such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, or the loss of a job, they could feel that it doesn’t make sense for them to feel depressed. This leaves them to wonder, “Why am I depressed?” without giving them any real answer.

Perceptions of Depression

The presence of these things in their lives might make someone feel that they have “no right” to be unhappy. If a person’s family doesn’t have a history of depression, they may assume that they couldn’t be genetically prone themselves.

Likewise, a person may look back at their childhood and become confused and concerned if they don’t find a specific event that would “justify” the depression they are experiencing as an adult.

When they realize the people around them have not experienced depression, a person can feel very alone. They may start to worry that others will think they don’t appreciate what they have if they appear sad or down. They might also worry about being a burden to others—or being seen as a liability.

People with depression may be concerned about speaking up in fear of what might change at school or work, as well asin their relationships.

Concerns About Stigma

They may worry that their boss won’t think of them as capable of doing their job if they know they have depression. Whenyoung people in school are depressed, they may be wrongly labeled “slackers” or told that they are not “trying hard enough.”

In relationships, people with depression may not talk about their experiences because they are afraid others won’t understand. They may worry that their spouse, family, and friends will stop loving them. They might fear the people they care about willblame them for the feelings they have.

They could also be worried that their loved ones will blamethemselvesif they are unable to help, which can make a person who is depressed feel guilty or like a burden.

Other Reasons People Hide What They Are Feeling

Parents who are experiencing depression may worry abouthow their children or family could be affected. They might even fear that they will be seen as “unfit” parents if they admit to having feelings of depression.

People who are depressed may work very hard to try to hide how they really feel. On the outside,they can look and even act as though they feel okayand that everything is fine.

The Importance of Focusing on Depression “Causes” Not “Reasons”

Researchers are still learning about all the different mechanisms that drive depression. There aremany causesand, in most cases, it’s a combination of factors that ultimately cause a person to become depressed.

2:12Some Common Causes of Depression

2:12

Some Common Causes of Depression

Some factors that contribute to depression include:

Depression can make it much more challenging to address factors that might be contributing to it, such assubstance useor diet. As much as it is a mental illness, depression can also be physical. Symptoms like chronic pain and fatigue can make it difficult for people to take on lifestyle modifications such as exercise, even if they want to and believe they could help.

To make these changes (and stick with them) people need to have the right tools anda good deal of support. To get treatment, a person with depression needs to feel safe talking about how they are feeling.

A person who believes they are depressed for no reason may not feel they “deserve” to ask for or get help. That’s why it’s important to focus less on the reason for depression and, instead, to think about the causes.

Perceptions Can Affect Treatment and Outcomes

Looking at the causes helps people (both those with depression and those who want to support them) understand that being depressed is a medical condition, not a choice.

Depression can be, needs to be, and deserves to be treated. However, there are many ways to treat the condition. What works for one person may not work for another, and some people have to try many different options before finding something effective.

It’s also not unusual for people to need totry different treatmentsthroughout their lives to manage depression, as the condition can change and evolve in response to changes in a person’s life (both physically and emotionally).

If you are depressed and don’t understand why, you mayrecognize that you need helpand maywantit, but might also be struggling with the feeling that you don’t “have the right” to ask for help. Know this: Every person with depression deserves treatment.

Depression Statistics Everyone Should Know

It’s hard to predict which treatments will work best for someone with depression.How well a specific treatment works also depends on thetype of depressiona person is experiencing. It’s important towork closely with your care providerand/or a mental health care professional (such as a psychiatrist, especially if you take medications) as you are exploring different treatment options.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy is one of the first-line options used to treat depression. While there aremany types of psychotherapyavailable, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a frequently used and effective option.It addresses the negative thoughts that contribute to depression and can help you see that your thoughts might be contributing to your symptoms.

Online therapy optionsare also available. These can provide a convenient and sometimes more affordable way to access treatment for depression. Such programs can also be a useful supplement to in-person therapy, medications, and other treatment tools.

Medications

Antidepressant medications such as Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline) arecommonly prescribed for depression. Medications are often used in combination with psychotherapy.

For many people, using therapy and antidepressants together can effectively treat depression. However, these interventions alone may not adequately address symptoms for every person with depression.

Other Treatment Options

In these cases, other types of treatment such aselectroconvulsive therapy (ECT)can be used. ECT involves the brief application of an electrical pulse to the scalp in order to produce a seizure. Research has shown that the brain’s response to such stimulation can be rapid and ECT may be able to treatsymptoms that are resistant to medication and therapy.

Newer depression treatments include various types ofbrain stimulation therapy, such as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). These treatments may be recommended for someone whose symptoms haven’t responded to medication or therapy.

While it can be exhausting, frustrating, time-consuming, and in some cases costly to try different methods of treating depression, it’s important to work to find the option that will be the most effective for you. Depression (and its treatment) is a complex process that’s not one-size-fits-all.

TMS vs. ECT for Severe Depression

Understanding a Loved One’s Depression

If someone you care about is dealing with depression, you may not be surehow to support them. If your attempts to help are rejected or don’t seem to do any good, you may become frustrated and impatient.

If you feel tempted to tell someone who is depressed to“try harder” or “just snap out of it,”it may be a sign that you are overwhelmed orexperiencing caregiver burnout.If this happens, it’s important that you pause and take time to reflect on your feelings. You won’t be able to help someone else until you have taken care of your own emotional needs.

When you’re worried about a person you care about, the feelings of fear you have may come across as anger when you’re talking to them. Even if you aren’t mad or speaking in anger, depression can make it harder for a person to really hear what you are saying. They may interpret your words as being dismissive, accusatory, disappointed, or any number of things that aren’t necessarily accurate.

When you’respeaking to your loved one with depression, keep this in mind if it seems like your conversations are full of miscommunication. Although you may want to remind them of all the “good things in life” or point out that “it could be worse,” platitudes such as these aren’t usually helpful for a person with depression to hear.

Avoid Comparing Feelings

If someone you care about is depressed, especially if they are struggling with having no reason for it, one of the most important things you can do for them is tobe a compassionate and active listener.

This doesn’t mean you should put your emotional needs second or withhold your own feelings. Keeping the lines of communication open helps the person you care for feel safe to discuss what they’re going through and express the desire for help when they’re ready. If you are worried about them, maintaining a “lifeline” can reassure you of their safety and well-being.

A Word From Verywell

While it might feel like you are depressed orsad for no reason, it may be that there are multiple causes contributing to what you are feeling. Focusing more on these underlying causes instead of looking for reasons for depression can be more helpful.

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression such as low mood, irritability, and a loss of interest in the things you used to enjoy, talk to your care provider. Exploring your treatment options can get you back on track and feeling better.

If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

16 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mental health conditions: Depression and anxiety.The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.The overlap between low self-esteem and anxiety/depression in CAMHS.Harvard Health Publishing.What causes depression?Pan JX, Xia JJ, Deng FL, et al.Diagnosis of major depressive disorder based on changes in multiple plasma neurotransmitters: a targeted metabolomics study.Translation Psychiatry. 2018;8:130. doi:10.1038/s41398-018-0183-xZimmermann JJ, Tiellet Nunes ML, Fleck MP.How do depressed patients evaluate their quality of life? A qualitative study.J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2018;2(1):52. doi:10.1186/s41687-018-0076-zGronewold J, Duman EE, Engel M, et al.Association between life events and later depression in the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall study—The role of sex and optimism.PLoS One. 2022;17(7):e0271716. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0271716Chekroud AM, Zotti RJ, Shehzad Z, et al.Cross-trial prediction of treatment outcome in depression: a machine learning approach.Psychiatry. 2016;3(3):243-250. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(15)00471-XGautam M, Tripathi A, Deshmukh D, Gaur M.Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.Indian J Psychiatry. 2020;62(Suppl 2):S223-S229. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_772_19van der Vaart R, Witting M, Riper H, Kooistra L, Bohlmeijer ET, van Gemert-Pijnen L.Blending online therapy into regular face-to-face therapy for depression: content, ratio and preconditions according to patients and therapists using a Delphi study.BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14:355. doi:10.1186/s12888-014-0355-zCuijpers P, Sijbrandij M, Koole SL, Andersson G, Beekman AT, Reynolds CF III.Adding psychotherapy to antidepressant medication in depression and anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis.World Psychiatry. 2014;13(1):56-67. doi:10.1002/wps.20089American Psychiatric Association.What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?National Institute of Mental Health.Brain stimulation therapies.Cleveland Clinic.Caregiver burnout.Kupferberg A, Bicks L, Hasler G.Social functioning in major depressive disorder.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2016;69:313-332. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.002Pulcu E, Zahn R, Elliott R.The role of self-blaming moral emotions in major depression and their impact on social-economical decision making.Front Psychol. 2013;4:310. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00310Orsolini L, Latini R, Pompili M, et al.Understanding the complex of suicide in depression: from research to clinics.Psychiatry Investig. 2020;17(3):207-221. doi:10.30773/pi.2019.0171Additional ReadingGreenstein L.Depression doesn’t need an explanation. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

16 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mental health conditions: Depression and anxiety.The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.The overlap between low self-esteem and anxiety/depression in CAMHS.Harvard Health Publishing.What causes depression?Pan JX, Xia JJ, Deng FL, et al.Diagnosis of major depressive disorder based on changes in multiple plasma neurotransmitters: a targeted metabolomics study.Translation Psychiatry. 2018;8:130. doi:10.1038/s41398-018-0183-xZimmermann JJ, Tiellet Nunes ML, Fleck MP.How do depressed patients evaluate their quality of life? A qualitative study.J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2018;2(1):52. doi:10.1186/s41687-018-0076-zGronewold J, Duman EE, Engel M, et al.Association between life events and later depression in the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall study—The role of sex and optimism.PLoS One. 2022;17(7):e0271716. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0271716Chekroud AM, Zotti RJ, Shehzad Z, et al.Cross-trial prediction of treatment outcome in depression: a machine learning approach.Psychiatry. 2016;3(3):243-250. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(15)00471-XGautam M, Tripathi A, Deshmukh D, Gaur M.Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.Indian J Psychiatry. 2020;62(Suppl 2):S223-S229. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_772_19van der Vaart R, Witting M, Riper H, Kooistra L, Bohlmeijer ET, van Gemert-Pijnen L.Blending online therapy into regular face-to-face therapy for depression: content, ratio and preconditions according to patients and therapists using a Delphi study.BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14:355. doi:10.1186/s12888-014-0355-zCuijpers P, Sijbrandij M, Koole SL, Andersson G, Beekman AT, Reynolds CF III.Adding psychotherapy to antidepressant medication in depression and anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis.World Psychiatry. 2014;13(1):56-67. doi:10.1002/wps.20089American Psychiatric Association.What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?National Institute of Mental Health.Brain stimulation therapies.Cleveland Clinic.Caregiver burnout.Kupferberg A, Bicks L, Hasler G.Social functioning in major depressive disorder.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2016;69:313-332. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.002Pulcu E, Zahn R, Elliott R.The role of self-blaming moral emotions in major depression and their impact on social-economical decision making.Front Psychol. 2013;4:310. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00310Orsolini L, Latini R, Pompili M, et al.Understanding the complex of suicide in depression: from research to clinics.Psychiatry Investig. 2020;17(3):207-221. doi:10.30773/pi.2019.0171Additional ReadingGreenstein L.Depression doesn’t need an explanation. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mental health conditions: Depression and anxiety.The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.The overlap between low self-esteem and anxiety/depression in CAMHS.Harvard Health Publishing.What causes depression?Pan JX, Xia JJ, Deng FL, et al.Diagnosis of major depressive disorder based on changes in multiple plasma neurotransmitters: a targeted metabolomics study.Translation Psychiatry. 2018;8:130. doi:10.1038/s41398-018-0183-xZimmermann JJ, Tiellet Nunes ML, Fleck MP.How do depressed patients evaluate their quality of life? A qualitative study.J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2018;2(1):52. doi:10.1186/s41687-018-0076-zGronewold J, Duman EE, Engel M, et al.Association between life events and later depression in the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall study—The role of sex and optimism.PLoS One. 2022;17(7):e0271716. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0271716Chekroud AM, Zotti RJ, Shehzad Z, et al.Cross-trial prediction of treatment outcome in depression: a machine learning approach.Psychiatry. 2016;3(3):243-250. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(15)00471-XGautam M, Tripathi A, Deshmukh D, Gaur M.Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.Indian J Psychiatry. 2020;62(Suppl 2):S223-S229. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_772_19van der Vaart R, Witting M, Riper H, Kooistra L, Bohlmeijer ET, van Gemert-Pijnen L.Blending online therapy into regular face-to-face therapy for depression: content, ratio and preconditions according to patients and therapists using a Delphi study.BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14:355. doi:10.1186/s12888-014-0355-zCuijpers P, Sijbrandij M, Koole SL, Andersson G, Beekman AT, Reynolds CF III.Adding psychotherapy to antidepressant medication in depression and anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis.World Psychiatry. 2014;13(1):56-67. doi:10.1002/wps.20089American Psychiatric Association.What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?National Institute of Mental Health.Brain stimulation therapies.Cleveland Clinic.Caregiver burnout.Kupferberg A, Bicks L, Hasler G.Social functioning in major depressive disorder.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2016;69:313-332. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.002Pulcu E, Zahn R, Elliott R.The role of self-blaming moral emotions in major depression and their impact on social-economical decision making.Front Psychol. 2013;4:310. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00310Orsolini L, Latini R, Pompili M, et al.Understanding the complex of suicide in depression: from research to clinics.Psychiatry Investig. 2020;17(3):207-221. doi:10.30773/pi.2019.0171

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mental health conditions: Depression and anxiety.

The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health.The overlap between low self-esteem and anxiety/depression in CAMHS.

Harvard Health Publishing.What causes depression?

Pan JX, Xia JJ, Deng FL, et al.Diagnosis of major depressive disorder based on changes in multiple plasma neurotransmitters: a targeted metabolomics study.Translation Psychiatry. 2018;8:130. doi:10.1038/s41398-018-0183-x

Zimmermann JJ, Tiellet Nunes ML, Fleck MP.How do depressed patients evaluate their quality of life? A qualitative study.J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2018;2(1):52. doi:10.1186/s41687-018-0076-z

Gronewold J, Duman EE, Engel M, et al.Association between life events and later depression in the population-based Heinz Nixdorf Recall study—The role of sex and optimism.PLoS One. 2022;17(7):e0271716. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0271716

Chekroud AM, Zotti RJ, Shehzad Z, et al.Cross-trial prediction of treatment outcome in depression: a machine learning approach.Psychiatry. 2016;3(3):243-250. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(15)00471-X

Gautam M, Tripathi A, Deshmukh D, Gaur M.Cognitive behavioral therapy for depression.Indian J Psychiatry. 2020;62(Suppl 2):S223-S229. doi:10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_772_19

van der Vaart R, Witting M, Riper H, Kooistra L, Bohlmeijer ET, van Gemert-Pijnen L.Blending online therapy into regular face-to-face therapy for depression: content, ratio and preconditions according to patients and therapists using a Delphi study.BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14:355. doi:10.1186/s12888-014-0355-z

Cuijpers P, Sijbrandij M, Koole SL, Andersson G, Beekman AT, Reynolds CF III.Adding psychotherapy to antidepressant medication in depression and anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis.World Psychiatry. 2014;13(1):56-67. doi:10.1002/wps.20089

American Psychiatric Association.What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?

National Institute of Mental Health.Brain stimulation therapies.

Cleveland Clinic.Caregiver burnout.

Kupferberg A, Bicks L, Hasler G.Social functioning in major depressive disorder.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2016;69:313-332. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.002

Pulcu E, Zahn R, Elliott R.The role of self-blaming moral emotions in major depression and their impact on social-economical decision making.Front Psychol. 2013;4:310. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00310

Orsolini L, Latini R, Pompili M, et al.Understanding the complex of suicide in depression: from research to clinics.Psychiatry Investig. 2020;17(3):207-221. doi:10.30773/pi.2019.0171

Greenstein L.Depression doesn’t need an explanation. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

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