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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffDepression often begins in the teens, 20s or 30s, but it can happen at any age. Twice as many women are diagnosed with depression as men, but this may be due in part because women are more likely to seek treatment for depression.
Although the precise cause of depression isn't known, researchers have identified certain factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering depression, including:
- Having biological relatives with depression
- Being a woman
- Having traumatic experiences as a child
- Having family members or friends who have been depressed
- Experiencing stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one
- Having few friends or other personal relationships
- Recently having given birth (postpartum depression)
- Having been depressed previously
- Having a serious illness, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's or HIV/AIDS
- Having certain personality traits, such as having low self-esteem and being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimistic
- Abusing alcohol, nicotine or illicit drugs
- Taking certain high blood pressure medications, sleeping pills or certain other medications (Talk to your doctor before stopping any medication you think could be affecting your mood.)
References
- Mood 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 Nov. 28, 2011.
- Depression. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/complete-index.shtml. Accessed Nov. 28, 2011.
- Eisendrath SJ, et al. Psychiatric disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2012. 51st ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=13381. Accessed Nov. 28, 2011.
- Depressive disorders. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric_disorders/mood_disorders/depressive_disorders.html#top. Accessed Nov. 28, 2011.
- Krishnan R. Epidemiology, pathogenesis and neurobiology of depression. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 28, 2011.
- Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association. http://www.psychiatryonline.org. Accessed Nov. 28, 2011.
- Viibryd (prescribing information). St. Louis, Mo.: Forest Pharmaceuticals; 2011. http://www.frx.com/pi/viibryd_pi.pdf. Accessed Nov. 28, 2011.
- Lynch T, et al. The effect of cytochrome P450 metabolism on drug response, interactions, and adverse effects. American Family Physician. 2007;76:391.
- Katon W, et al. Initial treatment of depression in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 28, 2011.
- Deligiannidis K, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of depressive disorders in women. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2010;33: 441.
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