Depression is a very serious psychological condition that can affect all parts of one's life. There is nothing pleasant about depression, and no one wants to ever have to experience it. Though depression can affect anyone, there are certain risk factors that make some people more likely to experience it.
Genetic Factors
It has been shown that there is a biological link with depression. According to a 2005 study published in Archives of General Psychiatry, a person is more likely to have depression if a biological parent or sibling also has depression. There is a clear biological and genetic predisposition to depression, presumably due to brain chemistry. Children of parents with depression are at a particularly high risk, and parents that have depression problems should be aware of what risk factors to look for in their children.
Situational Factors
There are times in life that are more stressful and upsetting than others, and in some cases these circumstances can lead to depression. Situations such as job loss, divorce, the loss of a child or even something positive, like a move or a new job, can create depression, according to Psych Central. The stress of these events is a prime risk factor for depression, particularly if someone is already predisposed to having issues with depression.
Substance Abuse
People with drug and alcohol problems are at an increased risk for depression. Many people with addiction issues have underlying depression problems and use drugs and alcohol as a way to self medicate their depression. In other cases, the way drugs and alcohol effect the brain and body actually result in depression. For many people, this becomes a "chicken and egg" issue, and it becomes impossible to tell which problem came first, the depression or the substance abuse. However, regardless of which came first, there is no doubt that substance abuse is a key risk factor for depression.
