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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffAlthough the precise cause of depression isn't known, factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering teen depression include:
- Having a parent, grandparent or other biological relative with depression
- Being a girl — depression occurs more often in females than in males
- Having experienced recent stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one
- Having been physically or sexually abused
- Having been the victim or witness of violence
- Having strict parents that are quick to blame or punish
- Parental divorce
- Having an anxiety disorder
- Having a chronic medical illness such as diabetes or asthma
- Having biological relatives with a history of alcoholism
- Having a family member who committed suicide
- Having few friends or other personal relationships
- Having certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem or being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimistic
- Abusing alcohol, nicotine or other drugs
- Being attracted to members of the same sex — which can cause depression linked to negative social pressures and internal emotional conflicts
- Obesity, which can lead to judgment by others and to low self-esteem
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 June 7, 2010.
- Depression. National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/index.shtml. Accessed June 7, 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 June 7, 2010.
- Calles JL. Depression in children and adolescents. Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2007;34:243.
- Your adolescent - depressive disorders. American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/publication_store/your_adolescent_depressive_disorders. Accessed June 9, 2010.
- Agerter DC, et al. Depression. In: Rakel RE. Textbook of Family Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/204551127-5/0/1481/631.html?tocnode=53395845&fromURL=631.html. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Lyness JM. Depression: Epidemiology and pathogenesis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Hatzenbuehler ML, et al. Emotion regulation and internalizing symptoms in a longitudinal study of sexual minority and heterosexual adolescents. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2008;49:1270.
- Bennetto L, et al. Psychiatric disorders in childhood and adolescence. In: Jacobson JL, et al. Psychiatric Secrets. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Hanley & Belfus, Inc.; 2001. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/204551127-3/0/1167/134.html?tocnode=49275992&fromURL=134.html#4-u1.0-B1-56053-418-4..50064-9--cesec11_1285. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Katon W, et al. Initial treatment of depression in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 7, 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 June 7, 2010.
- McVoy M. Child and adolescent psychopharmacology update. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 2009;32:111.
- Crawford GC, et al. Treatment of children and adolescents. In: Hales RE. Textbook of Psychiatry. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com/popup.aspx?aID=314547&print=yes_chapter. Accessed June 7, 2010.
- Factsheet: Depression in teens. Mental Health America. http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/information/get-info/depression/depression-in-teens. Accessed June 7, 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.; 2010:166.
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