I wish I could give you a simple answer. The kind that fits neatly into a box— one clear cause, one clear solution. But the truth is messier than that. And maybe that’s actually good news.
If you’re asking “why do I have depression,” you’re probably looking for more than just information. You want to understand what’s happening to you. You want to know if there’s something wrong with you, or if this makes sense somehow.
Here’s what I’ve learned: depression isn’t a personal failing. It’s not a character flaw. It’s a real thing with real causes— and understanding those causes can be the first step toward finding your way through.
The “Chemical Imbalance” Story (And Why It’s Incomplete)
You’ve probably heard that depression is caused by a “chemical imbalance” in your brain. Low serotonin, low dopamine— take a pill, fix the problem.
This story isn’t exactly wrong. But it’s not the whole truth either.
In fact, a major 2022 review in Molecular Psychiatry looked at decades of research and found no consistent evidence that depression is caused by low serotonin. The “chemical imbalance” theory— heavily promoted by pharmaceutical companies in the 1990s— has been thoroughly debunked as the primary explanation.
Yes, neurotransmitters play a role. Serotonin affects your mood and sleep. Dopamine affects your motivation and sense of reward. When these systems are disrupted, you feel it.
But here’s what the research actually shows: depression doesn’t spring from simply having too much or too little of any single chemical. Your brain is more complex than that. The chemicals are part of a larger conversation— between your biology, your experiences, and your circumstances.
This matters because if you’ve been told “it’s just a chemical imbalance,” you might feel broken in a way that’s hard to fix. The reality is more nuanced, and honestly, more hopeful.
Why Depression Happens: The Three-Part Story
Depression usually emerges from a combination of three things working together:
1. Biology (Your Brain and Body)
Some of us are more vulnerable to depression than others. Genetics play a role— if depression runs in your family, you may be more susceptible. This isn’t destiny, but it is a factor.
Your brain structure and function matter too. The parts of your brain that process emotion, memory, and stress can work differently when depression takes hold. Inflammation in your body can affect your mood. So can hormones, sleep patterns, and physical health.
None of this means you’re broken. It means your brain is responding to signals— some of which you can influence.
2. Psychology (How You Process the World)
The way you think about yourself and your experiences shapes your vulnerability to depression.
If you tend toward self-criticism, if you ruminate on negative thoughts, if you explain setbacks as permanent and personal— these patterns can make depression more likely. Not because you’re doing something wrong, but because these patterns developed for reasons. Often as protection. Often in childhood.
Trauma rewires how your brain processes fear and emotion. Early adversity can create a kind of “sensitization”— where smaller stressors later in life trigger bigger responses.
This isn’t about blame. It’s about understanding that your psychology developed in context. And context can be examined, understood, and slowly shifted.
3. Circumstances (What Life Throws at You)
Here’s something the research makes clear: 80% of depression episodes are preceded by a stressful life event. That’s not a small number. That’s most people.
Sometimes depression happens because life is genuinely hard.
Loss. Grief. Financial stress. Relationship breakdown. Major transitions— even positive ones. Chronic stress that never lets up. Isolation and loneliness.
These aren’t weaknesses. They’re real pressures on a real human being.
Viktor Frankl, the psychiatrist who survived Nazi concentration camps, wrote about despair as “suffering without meaning.” When we can’t make sense of our pain, when it feels pointless, depression often follows.
This is where purpose and meaning become not just philosophical concepts, but practical medicine.
What You’re Really Asking
When you search “why do I have depression,” you’re probably not just looking for a biology lesson. You’re asking deeper questions:
“Is it my fault?” No. Depression emerges from factors largely outside your control— genetics, brain chemistry, early experiences, life circumstances. You didn’t choose this.
“Am I broken?” No. Your brain is responding to real signals. That’s not broken. That’s a system doing what systems do.
“Will I always feel this way?” No. Depression is treatable. The path isn’t always straight, but people do find their way through.
“What can I actually do?” This is where it gets practical.
Small Steps Matter More Than Big Ones
Depression tells you that nothing you do matters. This is a lie, but it feels completely true.
The antidote isn’t forcing yourself into massive action. It’s taking tiny steps that prove to your brain that you still have agency.
Make a cup of tea. Take a five-minute walk. Send one text to someone who cares about you. Write one sentence in a journal.
These aren’t cures. They’re not meant to be. They’re micro-moments of engagement that slowly remind your brain: I’m still here. I can still do things. I’m not completely powerless.
Meaning as Medicine
Here’s something I believe deeply: when we lose connection to meaning and purpose, we become more vulnerable to depression. And when we reconnect to something that matters, we build resilience.
This doesn’t mean you need to have your life figured out. It doesn’t mean you need a grand purpose or a perfect calling.
It means asking small questions: What still matters to me, even when I can’t feel it? What would I do if I had more energy? What kind of person do I want to become, even if I’m not there yet?
These questions aren’t answered once. They’re lived into over time.
You Can’t Think Your Way Out (But You Can Move Through)
One more thing. Depression distorts thinking. It makes everything look worse than it is. It makes hope feel naive and effort feel pointless.
When you’re in that state, no amount of rational analysis will “fix” your thoughts. You can’t argue yourself out of depression.
But you can move. You can reach out. You can get professional help— therapy, medication, whatever combination works for you. You can build a support system. You can create structure when structure feels impossible.
Action doesn’t feel natural when you’re depressed. But action is often what begins to shift things. Not because you think yourself into feeling better, but because you act yourself into a slightly different state.
The Bigger Picture
Depression is not a mystery that can never be solved. It’s also not a simple problem with a simple fix.
It emerges from biology, psychology, and life circumstances— all woven together. This is what researchers call the “biopsychosocial model,” and it’s the current scientific consensus. Understanding this can help you see yourself more clearly, with more compassion.
You’re not broken. You’re human. And humans go through dark seasons.
The path forward isn’t about finding the one cause and eliminating it. It’s about tending to all the parts of yourself— your body, your mind, your relationships, your sense of meaning. It’s about small steps, repeated over time.
If you’re struggling, please reach out for help. Talk to a therapist. Talk to a doctor. Talk to someone you trust. You don’t have to figure this out alone.
And if you’re asking why depression happens— I hope this helps you understand. Not because understanding fixes everything, but because understanding is the beginning.
You’re not alone in this. And it won’t last forever.
