The psychological needs of the human heart are just as important as our physical needs. We crave a sense of belonging, the meaning and purpose of our existence, and the value and autonomy of others. However, reality is often at odds with our heart's needs, and the society we live in doesn't fully meet those needs. In the face of this dissatisfaction, most people may only occasionally feel a little unhappy and a little disappointed in life. But for some people, if these deep-seated needs continue to be unmet, it can lead to negative emotions such as despair and depression.
Here we have summarized nine factors that can lead to depression, including the meaning of work, connection with others, right values, a good childhood, dignity, expectations for the future, nature, genes, and the brain. In the case of work, most people spend most of their lives in paid work. The Gallup Institute conducted an interesting study on people's perceptions of work. The results showed that 13% said they liked and looked forward to their work;63% neither liked nor hated their attitude towards work was defined as "sleepwalking";The remaining 24% hate and fear their jobs. To sum up, only 1 in 10 people love their work, and twice as many people hate it as those who love it. One might retort, what about hating work?They have everything they need to be happy, such as expensive consumer goods that come with good pay, and so on. But if you look deeper into the deeper psychological needs of these people, such as social relationships, job fulfillment, and stress index, you will find that they have obvious deficiencies in this area. Therefore, the meaning and satisfaction of work are essential for people's mental health. 
Depression, a seemingly simple word, actually contains a myriad of complex emotional and psychological factors. It is not just a simple expression of inner emotion, many times, it is a stress response to the factors surrounding people. Therefore, when dealing with a complex psychological condition like depression, we cannot rely solely on chemical antidepressants. Psychologist Derek Summerfield traveled to Cambodia at the beginning of the 21st century to introduce antidepressants to the country. However, when talking to a Cambodian doctor, he unexpectedly found that the other party was not interested in the medicine. He was told, "We don't need them because we already have antidepressants." This aroused his curiosity, and he told a story about a farmer. A farmer was working in a rice field when he accidentally stepped on a landmine, resulting in a leg being blown off. Although doctors fitted him with a prosthetic, after a short period of recuperation, he had to return to work in the fields. However, even with a prosthetic leg, it was still an impossible task for the farmer to get back to his old job. He felt excruciating pain, often cried loudly, did not want to get up, and even gradually fell into depression. Local doctors realized that the hardships of life were the crux of the problem. So, they decided to buy a cow for the farmer. Raising cows is much easier than farming in the fields. When the farmer's life rekindled hope, so did his depression. The doctor told Derek that in this case, the cow was the antidepressant. Because it effectively satisfies the patient's inner needs. This simple but profound story reveals a truth that we have overlooked: when patients show signs of extreme distress, what is needed most is someone who can sit down and listen to them and really understand and address the root causes of their distress. According to statistics, 7 of the 9 causes of depression are related to social factors and only 2 are related to physiological factors. Surveys from the National Institutes of Health further confirm that genetic factors in people with depression account for only a small minority. This means that we can regulate our inner needs in a series of ways to avoid and get rid of depression at its root. First and foremost, it's crucial to find a job that is meaningful to you. It gives us a sense of fulfillment, dignity in life, and anticipation for the future. When we put our heart and soul into our work, deriving satisfaction from it, depression naturally moves away from us. Secondly, lifestyle changes are also a crucial step. We should strengthen our connection with others and society, reasonably increase social activities, and reduce loneliness and rejection. Sharing life's joys, sorrows, and moments with friends and family can help us find meaning and value in life. In addition, it is equally important to regulate your mindset and values. Acknowledging the psychological trauma we suffered in childhood and actively seeking psychological counseling can help us get out of the shadows. At the same time, it is necessary to rethink the value of "consumerism" and reduce anxiety. In this age of material abundance, we often get lost in endless pursuits and forget the true needs of our hearts. True happiness and fulfillment can only be found when we stop and look inward. 
While chemical antidepressants have some value in depression, doctors need to think more broadly and offer patients more options. Depression is a deep-seated internal psychological contradiction that requires an all-round approach to coping. For those who are struggling with depression, this sends an important message that their pain is justified and not moaning without illness.
This not only encourages patients to explore the triggers of depression, but also allows them to find themselves and build confidence. It tells us that to beat depression, it takes more experimentation and exploration. It's important not to give up easily!As Harry said, we need to learn to listen to our inner voice and find ways that truly meet our needs. Everyone has the potential to live a healthier, smarter life, as long as we are willing to work hard.
Depression is a complex mental illness that requires an all-encompassing approach. Physicians need to provide patients with more options so that they can truly cope with this deep internal conflict. For patients, this is not only a signal to seek understanding, but also an encouragement and motivation. We must firmly believe that as long as we don't give up, we can one day overcome depression and live a healthier and better life.