What causes depression and what have we known about it so far? Depending on what area of expertise you are coming from, professionals might have differing opinions on this. A new study shows that depression is not caused by low Serotonin levels.
I was taught at my graduate program that depression can have biological reasons, for example low serotonin levels. Early on in my practice though I found a strong connection between depression and stressful life experiences, meaning that most of my clients who struggled with depression have also had stressful life events happen to them. Stressful life events are for example childhood trauma, an accident, or attachment rupture. Rarely would I come across a client who developed depression and didn’t experience any stressful life events.
This new study, “The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence” came to the conclusion that there is “no support for the hypothesis that depression is caused by lowered serotonin activity“. So what does that mean now for clinicians moving forward?
To a large portion of the mental health community this new finding probably doesn’t come as a big surprise. There are already many professionals who focus on the brain-gut relationship and the impact gut health has on brain health. And also professionals who focus on how trauma impacts the body and might cause changes in physical and mental health. Hopefully there will be a greater shift now to holistic approaches and a greater awareness in the medical and mental health community that depression isn’t just caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.
In my practice I try to do a thorough assessment of what could be causing or contributing to my clients depressive symptoms. I ask questions about sleep and eating habits, stress levels, and stressful life experiences. Sometimes it takes a few lifestyle changes to lessen depressive symptoms. If a client has experienced trauma I will often use Accelerated Resolution Therapy to help them process those stressful life events and help the body release the negative sensations and emotions associated with it.
If you have any questions about my approach or would like to schedule a free 15 minute consultation please reach out to me here.
Study link https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01661-0
