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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough the precise cause of atypical depression isn't known, certain factors seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering it, including:
- Having biological relatives with depression
- Being a woman — depression, especially atypical depression, is more common in women than in men
- Having depression that started when you were a teen or child
- Having traumatic experiences as a child
- Having biological relatives with a history of alcoholism
- Having family members who committed suicide
- Experiencing stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one
- Having few friends or other personal relationships
- Having depression after giving birth (postpartum depression)
- Having a serious illness, such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease or HIV/AIDS
- Having certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimistic
- Abusing alcohol, nicotine or illegal drugs
- Having financial problems
- Taking certain medications, which include some high blood pressure medications, sleeping pills and certain other medications (talk to your doctor before stopping any medication you think could be affecting your mood)
References
- Depressive disorders. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed April 13, 2010.
- Atypical features specifier. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed April 13, 2010.
- Stewart JW, et al. DSM-IV Depression with atypical features: Is it valid? Neuropsychopharmacology. 2009;34:2625.
- Pae C, et al. Atypical depression: A comprehensive review. CNS Drugs. 2009;2:1023.
- Depression. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml. Accessed April 13, 2010.
- Lyness JM. Depression: Epidemiology and pathogenesis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 13, 2010.
- Loosen PT, et al. Mood disorders. In: Ebert MH, et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Psychiatry. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aid=3285019. Accessed April 13, 2010.
- Katon W, et al. Initial treatment of depression in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 13, 2010.
- Kung S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 26, 2010.
- Martinez M, et al. Psychopharmacology. In: Hales RE. Textbook of Psychiatry. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/content.aspx?aID=320111. Accessed April 13, 2010.
- van der Watt G, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine in the treatment of anxiety and depression. Current Opinion in Psychiatry. 2008;2:37.
- Mischoulon D. Update and critique of natural remedies as antidepressant treatments. Obstetrics & Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2009;36:789.
- Wahner-Roedler D. Treating 20 common conditions. In: Bauer B. Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: Time Inc.; 2010:167.
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