Depression can be caused by a variety of reasons and can happen to anyone. But there are some risk factors that can help you understand your moods if depression is triggered. Feelings of sadness or hopelessness that don't seem to subside may stem from your background or incidents that have occurred in your life.
Family History
People can be at risk for depression if they have biological relatives with depression or family members who have had a history of alcoholism. Having a blood relative who has committed suicide may also be a risk factor. Genetic factors may be involved in depression.
Personality
People who have low self-esteem and are pessimistic or self-critical may have an increased risk of developing depression, the Mayo Clinic reports. People who had depressed moods as children may carry those feelings on to adulthood. This may include undergoing traumatic experiences as a child. Children who lost a parent, suffered from neglect or went through emotional or physical abuse may grow up to suffer from depression later. Having few friends or close personal relationships may signal a risk for depression.
Stressful Events
Stress over long periods may increase a risk of depression. Many people experience stress, but some events can linger on in the mind, such as the death of a loved one or family separation because of divorce. Depression is highest among divorced and separated people and lower for those who are single or married, according to Psych Central. People who have been unemployed for six months or longer have increased risks of being depressed. Having a serious illness, such as cancer or heart disease, can also lead to periods of depression.
Alcohol and Drugs
Abusing alcohol, nicotine or illicit drugs can severely change moods and lead to depression. Addiction presents the further difficulty of withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit. These symptoms may also cause depression that often subsides, but can continue unless treatment is sought.
Certain medications for other illness may have the side effect of depression. Blood pressure medications and other prescribed medications can affect the mood during and after taking medicine. Talk to your doctor if you notice mood changes.
Gender and Age
Depression is about twice as common in women as in men, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). But the NIMH stresses that it is not known if men have fewer cases of depression or if they are less likely than women to acknowledge it and seek help. Depression can strike anyone at any age. People more often experience their first symptoms of depression between the ages of 20 and 40. But cases of depression may be increasing in younger ages, Psych Central notes.
