True depression is not a fleeting moment of sadness. It is a serious, sometimes life-threatening, health condition that is one of the most common health conditions in the world as the Mayo Clinic states. It affects approximately 12 million adults in the United States alone, and while no particular cause is known, certain risk factors have been determined.
Your Family
People with a family history of depression are at greater risk for developing the disorder, according to psychcentral.com. Both manic and major depression seem to occur in generations, and those diagnosed with these types of depression appear to have a different genetic makeup than non-depressed people.
Life Changes
Major life changes have been known to trigger episodes of depression. These include situations such a major personal loss, a breakup, divorce (which can be hard on children) and financial worries or problems.
Stress does not always result in depression for everyone; some are more susceptible to this disease than others. You may be at higher risk if you suffer from a low self-esteem, are extremely sensitive to loss and have a negative view of yourself and your surroundings.
Medical Reasons
Medical conditions may be another factor that can effect depression for certain people, as stated by eMedTV.com. This includes neurological conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease, metabolic conditions such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and cancers such as pancreatic.
Little Support
According to psychcentral.com, lack of support is another factor of depression for both men and women. The site states that people with little or no support are often diagnosed with depression. The rate of diagnosis is higher among women who are stay-at-home mothers with no outside socialization, which leaves them feeling isolated, resulting in depression for some.
Your Hormones
Due to the many hormonal changes women experience in their lives, for various reasons, are twice as likely as men to suffer from depression, according to psychcentral.com. The major contributing factors menstrual cycles and menopause, pregnancy and postpartum and miscarriages.
