The REAL Cause of Depression (It's NOT Low Serotonin)

In this video, I break down what depression actually is using a systems-based model that goes beyond simple brain chemistry. We’ll look at how neurotransmitters, brain circuits, sleep, stress, inflammation, and environment all interact — and why focusing on just one piece often isn’t enough. Here's Why the Serotonin Theory of Depression Is Wrong I’m Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza, triple board certified in adult psychiatry, child and adolescent psychiatry, and addiction medicine — and I help people make sense of mental health in a way that actually leads to progress. If something here resonates with you, I’d love to hear your experience — what’s helped, what hasn’t, and what questions you still have. And if you want a deeper, more honest breakdown of antidepressants — including the ones I’m most cautious about — check out my video on the worst antidepressants and how to think about them. Depression, serotonin theory, antidepressants, mental health treatment, neuroplasticity, brain chemistry, psychiatric medications, therapy vs medication, stress and depression, sleep and mental health — this video explores how these all connect in a more complete and human way. This video is about chemical imbalance theory and mental health and psychiatry, as part of our series on mental health and psychiatry. Subscribe to our channel if you want to learn more about mental health and psychiatry! Depression is not just a chemical imbalance — and misunderstanding this could be why treatment hasn’t worked the way you expected. 🚨 🧠 For all things mental health from Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza 👉🏼 https://linktr.ee/sulmanazizmirzamd 🚨😴 Trouble sleeping? Introducing Stories for Sleep, read by Dr. Mirza (in his psychiatrist voice, not YouTube voice!) to help you fall asleep in no time! Subscribe today 👉🏼    / @storiesforsleep-q2v   Most people are taught that depression is caused by low serotonin. Others believe antidepressants don’t work at all. Both of these ideas miss something critical — and that gap is where people get stuck. Chapters 0:00 Is the chemical imbalance theory a lie? 1:23 Three myths around depression 4:11 What depression actually is (if it's not serotonin) 8:24 Antidepressants can work...but also fail 10:59 So, serotonin? 😍 𝐈 𝐇𝐎𝐏𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐆𝐔𝐘𝐒 𝐄𝐍𝐉𝐎𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒! ▶️ If you enjoy this video, please like it and share it. ▶️ Don't forget to subscribe to this channel for more updates. 👉𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚. 𝑨𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆, 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒐. 💊𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒: #serotoninmyth #depressiontruth #mentalhealthscience #brainchemistry #ssridebate #brainhealth #psychologyfacts #neuroscience #depressionhelp #mentalhealthmatters #mindandbrain #scientifictruth #mentalhealthmyths #evidencebased #depression #modernscience #healthdebunked DISCLAIMER: This video is purely informational and educational and does not constitute medical advice and/or recommendations. Use of information is at your own risk, and expresses my own personal views and opinions, not those of any of my employers. Sulman Aziz Mirza, MD will not assume any liability for any direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this video including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death. In the event of any medical emergency or safety concerns, please go to your nearest emergency department and/or call 911. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline available 24/7: 800.273.8255 or 988 or suicidepreventionlifeline.org for online chat options