What are the causes of mood disorders?
Several factors contribute to the development of mood disorders, including:
Biological: The amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex are the brain areas responsible for controlling feelings and emotions. Studies have shown that people with mood disorders often have an enlarged amygdala on brain imaging tests.
Genetic: Individuals with a strong family history of mood disorders are more likely to develop mood disorders themselves, indicating that genetics plays a role in inheriting mood disorders.
Environmental: Stressful life changes like the loss of a loved one, chronic stress, traumatic events, and childhood abuse are significant risk factors for developing mood disorders later in life, particularly depression. Additionally, depression has been connected to chronic illnesses such as diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and heart disease.
