If anyone is suffering from depression it may be wondering “why” they are in this state of not being yourself and “where did it come from?” Although the answers to these questions are not straightforward, studies suggest that there are risk factors for depression. The more risk factors you have and the higher your stress level, the more likely you are to have an episode of depression:
- Genetic factors: Are there people in your family who have suffered from depression? People with a family history of depression are at slightly higher risk for depression at some point in their lives.
Personality traits and how you learned to deal with issues:
- Do you tend to worry a lot?
- Do you have a low opinion of yourself?
- Are you overly dependent on others?
- Are you a perfectionist?
- Are you too demanding of yourself and of others?
- Are you hiding your feelings?
- Life experiences : You may be at increased risk for depression if you have been through certain important events such as:
- early childhood trauma (death of a parent, separation or divorce of parents),
- the death of a loved one,
- a divorce,
- job loss or retirement,
- financial problems,
- family conflicts, including cases of violence and neglect.
- Biological causes : Some people with depression may have an imbalance of hormones and chemicals in the brain. Most antidepressants help correct this imbalance.
