The Real Cause of Depression is About Way More Than Just Serotonin

by Ellen Vora, MD on Aug 30, 2018 / Share

Photo: Boris Jovanovic

August 30, 2018 — 9:25 AM

Many of us have been taught that depression is the result of a genetic chemical imbalance. And while there is certainly a genetic component to depression, and, yes, neurotransmitters like serotonin do play a role in mood, depression actually has many potential root causes.

About the Author Ellen Vora, MD

Ellen Vora, M.D., is a holistic psychiatrist practicing with Frank Lipman, M.D., at the Eleven Eleven Wellness Center in NYC. "I take a functional medicine approach to mental health, which is a root-cause approach to understanding and treating illness."