Depression: Its Causes And Risk Factors

A Quick Guide

Depression is characterized by symptoms such as sadness, hopelessness, irritability, and disrupted sleep and appetite. It can be diagnosed if these symptoms persist for two weeks and significantly impact one’s life. Causes and risk factors of depression include family history, brain chemistry imbalance, trauma and abuse, substance abuse, grief, chronic illness, personality traits, childbirth, hormonal changes, gender, and age.

What is Depression?

Depression is usually described as sadness, hopelessness, worthlessness, irritability, and anger. It can affect your sleep and hunger cycle. Depression can also lead to self-harming behaviors. If it continues for 2 weeks. And if it has damaging effects on your life. Then it can be properly diagnosed as depression as per the criteria of DSM V. While there are no specified causes of depression, there are many elements that may lead to it. But more than that, there are some risk factors that make you more prone to depression as well.

Causes and Risk Factors of Depression

Some of the causes or other risk factors that can lead to depression are as follows:

Family History

A family history of depression or other mental illness can also be a leading cause. If the mother is depressed during the prenatal period. Then the fetus is more likely to develop distress as well. This can be harmful to the baby’s health. And after birth, it can lead to a lot of complications. Depression is just one of them.

Brain Chemistry

When there is an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) in the brain like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, it can lead to depression. Different Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) can help in treating this imbalance and alleviating depression symptoms.

Trauma and Abuse

It can range from physical violence to sexual violence including but not limited to emotional, verbal, economical, or psychological abuse that can lead to depression. This type of abuse whether in childhood or adult life can have a very negative impact on an individual.

Substance Abuse or Drugs

There are certain medications like acne medications and thyroid medications etc that can cause depression as a side effect. Other recreational drugs or alcohol can also affect the chemistry of the brain leading to depression.

Grief

Grief or sadness after the death of a loved one can increase your chances of depression if you are not able to cope in a healthy way. While a period of grief is normal, if you feel like you are simply unable to move on even after a significant amount of time has passed, you might need to consult a psychologist.

Chronic illness

If a person has been diagnosed with long-lasting or terminal diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s disease, or even chronic pain. Then chances are they might have a higher risk of depression. A severe head injury can also be a cause as it can trigger emotional problems.

Personality

If you get easily overwhelmed, you may be more prone to depression. Or you don’t have the correct coping skills. Or if you have self-esteem issues or if you are overly critical of yourself. It is possible that you may have inherited this personality. Or that it was shaped by your early childhood experiences.

Child Birth

As after a woman has given birth, her body is going through a lot of chemical, psychological, emotional, and physical changes. It can lead to postpartum depression. Though research has shown that new fathers also experience postpartum symptoms after the birth of their child. Mostly if they are from a low socioeconomic background with a history of mental illness.

Other Hormonal Changes

Even other severe hormone changes in women during various periods of their lives like menstruation or menopause can also increase their risk of depression.

Gender and Age

Women are twice more likely to experience depression than men. Other than that, elderly people have a higher risk if they are living alone and lack social support.

We hope you found this article useful in understanding the many causes and risk factors associated with depression.