While there are many well-known reasons why people are triggered into depression from money problems to grieving the death of a loved one, sometimes the source of your feelings of helplessness can be more difficult to pinpoint.

If you’ve been feeling depressed and can’t seem to identify with the most well-known causes, then it may be something that you haven’t considered yet.  Here are some little-known potential causes for why you may be depressed.

The Weather

Seasonal affective disorder also known as SAD occurs in about 5% of the population.  When the body has difficulty adjusting to a new season it can affect your internal chemistry.

Usually SAD is most common in the winter time when the trees are lacking leaves, and the sky is covered in a shroud of grey.  However, for some people, the summer is what strikes them as being particularly depressing.  Try to observe when you feel the most depressed and if it seems to improve when the weather changes.

Cigarettes

Most smokers will tell you that they smoke when they’re stressed or depressed.  However, if you look closer at the situation, perhaps it’s not quite what they may think.

For some people smoking causes depression and anxiety because of the effect that nicotine has on the brain.  If you feel frequent mood swings and turn to cigarettes to reel them in, then it’s time to ask yourself whether this could be working against you.

Lack of Sleep

Failing to get enough rest does more than just make you feel sleepy.  Many people who don’t get enough sleep agree that it can cause them to be more irritable and more susceptible to irrational behavior.

Getting enough sleep will decrease your chances of reacting to stressful scenarios and give you better tools for remaining calm under pressure.

If you don’t get the sleep that your body requires, your body doesn’t have the opportunity to replenish itself.  When your brain doesn’t function at its best, it’s more likely to fall into depression if you’re triggered.

Alcohol

Alcohol is widely accepted as an acceptable social activity in most situations.  However, when drinking moderately changes into drinking heavily, it can quickly start to spiral out of control.

Drinking regularly can cause severe mood swings leading to depression.

Additionally, it can cancel the effects of antidepressants.  Therefore, if you’ve already been diagnosed with clinical depression and your meds aren’t working, it could be because you’re drinking alcohol.

Doctors don’t recommend mixing alcohol with antidepressants in order for them to be the most effective.

Since alcohol is a depressant, it will make even the most positive of people capable of thinking dark thoughts. It’s best consumed in very small doses!