What increases my risk for depression?
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There are numerous factors that increase your risk of depression, most significantly your sex; women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience depression. If you have close family members who have experienced depression it may indicate a hereditary risk factor. Pregnancy will increase the risk for some women, resulting in postpartum depression. Having a serious illness such as heart disease or cancer can increase your risk, as will certain medicines. Social isolation and traumatic life events, as well as alcohol and drug abuse, can all increase your risk for depression, too.
There are numerous factors that increase your risk of depression, most significantly your sex; women are nearly twice as likely as men to experience depression. If you have close family members who have experienced depression it may indicate a... More -
Dr. Celeste Robb-Nicholson answered:Risk factors for depression include the following:
- a family history of depression, particularly in first-degree relatives
- a parent who has committed suicide
- a personal history of substance abuse, eating disorders, or a family history of such disorders
- unresolved grief over a major life loss
- unresolved anger
Risk factors for depression include the following: a family history of depression, particularly in first-degree relatives a parent who has committed suicide a personal history of substance abuse, eating disorders, or a family history of such... More -
Intermountain Healthcare answered:We know depression is caused by changes in brain chemistry. But we don't know what triggers these changes in the first place. Still, studies do show that several factors seem to make a person more likely to develop depression:
- A family history of depression
- An unhappy event, such as a death or divorce
- Certain personality traits or patterns of thinking
- Long-term use of some medications, or alcohol or drug abuse
We know depression is caused by changes in brain chemistry. But we don't know what triggers these changes in the first place. Still, studies do show that several factors seem to make a person more likely to develop depression: A family... More -
RealAge answered:The following are a number of risk factors associated with increased rates of depression:
- Female Gender. The higher rate of depressive symptoms in women compared to men is one of the strongest findings in depression research. The ratio of 2:1 for both mild-to-moderate depression and major depression is commonly accepted. During their lifetimes, 20% (1-in-5) women will be diagnosed with depression compared to 10% (1-in-10) men.
- Family History. Research has indicated a strong genetic contribution to depression, which is more common in people born to parents with depression and in people whose twins or siblings are diagnosed with depression.
- Poor Mental Health. People with long-term mild-to-moderate depression are more likely to experience episodes of major depression. This condition is defined as double depression. Furthermore, there is a strong tendency for people with a diagnosis of depression to be diagnosed with other co-occurring psychiatric disorders such as anxiety disorder.
- Poor Physical Health. High rates of depression are related to poor health in general and to having a co-occurring general (i.e., other than psychiatric) medical condition. As examples, depression is commonly diagnosed in people who are concurrently diagnosed with stroke, coronary heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
- Marital Status. People who are divorced or separated show higher rates of depressive symptoms compared to people who are married or single and never been married.
- Substance Use or Abuse. Substance abuse frequently co-occurs with major depression. The prevalence of dual diagnoses (mild-to-moderate depression and substance abuse) is approximately 18%.
The following are a number of risk factors associated with increased rates of depression: Female Gender. The higher rate of depressive symptoms in women compared to men is one of the strongest findings in depression research. The ratio of... More -
Worldwide, there are certain risk factors that make some more likely to get depression than others:
- Gender. Depression is two to three times more common in women, although a few studies, particularly from Africa have not shown this.
- Economic disadvantages, that is, poverty.
- Social disadvantages, such as low education.
- Genetics. If you have someone in your immediate family with the disorder, you are two to three times more likely to develop depression at some point in your life.
- Exposure to violence.
- Being separated or divorced, in most countries, especially for men.
- Other chronic illness.
Worldwide, there are certain risk factors that make some more likely to get depression than others: Gender. Depression is two to three times more common in women, although a few studies, particularly from Africa have not shown this. Economic... More
