Depression is associated with a number of specific problems with the balance of a number of specific neurotransmitters as well as physical, behavioral and psychological symptoms. It makes sense that the chemistry of the brain is changed in depression. We now know that the body and the brain are tied together. How we feel, think and behave are all related to changes in chemicals in the brain.
Perhaps more importantly, it seems that experiencing depression actually changes how the brain responds to stress. It seems that once a person has had one episode of depression, their brain shows an exaggerated stress response to relatively minor stressors. In other words, while the initial episode of depression may be triggered by a major negative life event, later episodes of depression may be triggered by a minor negative life event. Perhaps this is why depression can often become a chronic problem.
Role transitions (major changes in your life) often trigger later episodes of depression. All of our lives involve stress and transitions that present us with both challenges and opportunities. One of the best ways to combat future episodes of depression is to anticipate situations in which you are likely to become depressed in the future (transitions) and do some planning for how you are going to cope.
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