After reading an article of Yahoo Health, I thought that many people would find it interesting.

There are many well-known triggers for depression including trauma, grief, financial troubles, and unemployment to name a few.

Depression affects approximately 3 out of every 100 people in the United States alone, according to Psychology Today.

The effects can be devastating.

As one of those people who have actually dealt with it in my life, I can say with a certain degree of confidence that it is not fun.

The article on Yahoo Health goes through a number of little-known causes of depression which I found to be very interesting.

Without further adieu, here they are:

Poor Sleep Habits

This may seem obvious because, if you are like me, lack of sleep doesn't exactly make you the most jovial individual on the planet.

One researcher states that if you don't sleep enough, you will not have time to replenish brain cells. This leads to the brain not functioning to its full potential.

The altered brain chemistry can lead to depression as well as other risk factors.

This one is easily fixed – make sure you get your eight hours.

Smoking

Isn't smoking supposed to relieve stress?

Well, yes and no it would seem.

Smoking does increase dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. These neurotransmitters are responsible for controlling mood.

Interestingly enough, smoking mimics that mechanism of action for antidepressant drugs.

Current research shows that trying to quit smoking may trigger depression-like characteristics.

The good news is, quitting may make you depressed and irritable for a while, by eventually your brain chemistry will balance out.

Stick to it!

Thyroid Disease

For some people, the thyroid gland (a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck) doesn't produce enough of its hormone.

This is called hypothyroidism.

This disorder can lead to depression because thyroid hormone controls serotonin levels.

The good news is hypothyroidism is treatable with medication.

Facebook Overload

Yeah you heard me right.

Spending too much time on the old FB could lead to depression, according to new research.

Internet addicts may struggle with real-life human interaction and lack companionship.

This leads to a unrealistic view of the world.

The End of a TV Show or Movie

This one particularly interested me, because I have actually felt this way after a favorite TV series of movie ended.

According to the article, in 2009, some Avatar fans reported feeling depressed and even suicidal because of the realization that the fictional world that the movie took place in wasn't real.

One researcher suggests that people get “swept up” in the fictional world, forgetting about their troubles in the real world.

Additionally, people may feel distress when they are involved in a TV show or movie to seek companionship.

Where you Live

Current research shows that people living in an urban setting have a 39-percent higher risk of developing mood disorders that do people living in more rural settings.

According to the article, a 2011 study points to the fact that city dwellers have more activity in the part of the brain that regulates stress.

Higher levels of stress could lead to psychotic disorders.

Well there you go! You actually now have an excuse to take a long vacation in the mountains some where.

Too Many Choices

Go to a local grocery store and just look how many different options there are for cereal alone!

It's crazy!

Research shows that this may be a problem for people who respond to choice overload by maximizing, or exhaustively reviewing their options in search for the “perfect” item.

This may lead to perfectionism and depression.

Lack of Fish in the Diet

Low intake of omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and vegetable oils, may lead to a greater risk of depression, according to the article.

Omega-3 fatty acids also help to control serotonin levels.

Research shows that eating more fish may balance out people with depression and even bipolar disorder.

Poor Sibling Relationships

All siblings fight, let's understand at least that, but current research shows that men involved in poor relationships with their siblings before age 20 were more likely to be depressed later in life.

Poor relationships with siblings could lead to poor social skills with peers later in life, leading to relationship issues and depression.

Birth Control Pills

The Pill, is well – a pill.

Like any other pill, birth control can have side effects in some people.

The Pill includes a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone, which may lead to depression in some women, research shows.

The good news in diaphragms do not contain hormones.

Prescription Medications

As stated previously, all medications have some sort of side effect.

Depression is a side effect for anxiety and insomnia drugs.

Even some unrelated medications list depression as a side effect, including Accutane which is a severe acne medication.

Always check the side effects of a medication and consult with your physician if you have any questions or concerns.

Summer Weather

Relax, you aren't going crazy. You are reading that right.

Before I read this, I only thought that winter time could bring you the blues.

Apparently, the summer can trigger depression in less that 1-percent of the population, according to the article.

Some people can have a delay in adjusting to new seasons, leading to altered mood.

The culprit could be imbalances in brain chemistry and the hormone melatonin.

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I hope that you found this article interesting.

Those of you out there who are, or have, battled with depression, just remember that there is light at the end of tunnel.

It does get better!

Psychiatric therapy and/or medication does help, but you have to get out there and seek help.

Trust me, I know that it can be hard.

After that, things will start to improve.

Think about it!