What Is The True Cause Of Depression?
Updated: Mar 17, 2025
Written by: Dr. Don Wood, PhD, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Unfortunately, no one knows. That sounds depressing on its own? The common belief was depression was the result of low serotonin levels. However, new discoveries have now pointed to the fact that this neurotransmitter may have little to do with it. Experts have discussed depression as a chemical imbalance in the brain.
The chemical imbalance theory of depression began in the 1960s. Doctors started prescribing mood-enhancing medications that they believed would increase serotonin in the brain. The common term used for these medications is SSRI which stands for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. One of the more popular brands is Prozac.
However, current information is developing that is questioning whether serotonin is a cause or not. A study was conducted that examined evidence from over 350 peer-reviewed studies, and the study found no clear link between low serotonin and depression. There are some other experts that disagree with the findings and believe serotonin does have some correlation to depression, even if it is not the major cause.
The most interesting part of this article and study is something I have been speaking about for years. I believe that in some situations, depression is anger caused by unresolved trauma. The mind is stressing over old memories looking for a resolution that is not possible. The solution to the mind is to shut down any active calls, which results in fewer emotions. Emotions are calls for actions. However, there are no actions possible because the event is over. When your mind shuts down, you no longer experience the emotions. The mind is quiet and flat, the absence of emotions. That is what I believe is depression.
The study concluded that people with depression were experiencing some abnormality that may be the result of negative life events that creates stress. Stress affects a complex neural network in the brain. The study suggests that the regions they noticed changes were specifically the amygdala and prefrontal cortex areas. These areas are highly involved in emotional regulation and activation. What the research was illustrating was a reduction in the connectivity between these two areas, particularly with individuals experiencing disturbing or traumatic memories. Exactly what I have been discussing about depression. The mind is protecting you by shutting down the areas creating stress from the looping of the memories. It is a protective process and not a dysfunction of the brain. It is quite brilliant, although it does not feel like it if you do not understand what the purpose is. Our program TIPP addresses the core issue, trauma, and helps the individual resolve the loop, and then the mind stops calling for action. This results in the reduction or elimination of the chronic stress that has been resulting in depression. If there is no action possible, there would be no reason for the depressive symptoms. And there it is!
Dr. Don Wood Ph.D.
Inspired Performance Institute
Dr. Don Wood, PhD, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Don Wood, PhD, author, speaker, Founder & CEO of the Inspired Performance Institute, and creator of the patented TIPP method. TIPP is a cutting-edge method inspired and developed through the newest developments in neuroscience and designed to clear away the effects of disturbing or traumatic events, repurpose old patterns and set the individual’s mind up for peak performance. In essence, it “REBOOTs” the brain’s stuck thought pattern, making it possible to enhance alpha oscillations with a noninvasive and effective shift in brain wave activity. Author of two top selling books, Emotional Concussions and You Must Be Out of your Mind.
