6 Causes of depression and it’s risk factors.

Depression is a very common mental health illness all around the world, with around 280 million people in the world suffering from depression. Common symptoms of depression include feeling sad, anxious, motiveless, hopeless or lonely. It can also have a negative effect on memory, eating and sleeping habits. There can be various risk factors which can transform into the causes of depression.

Depression is not the same as the general mood swings. If depression is not treated it can worsen over time and healing becomes more difficult. In some severe cases, it can lead to self-harm. According to the data more than 700 000 people die from suicide each year. 

Certain risk factors are:

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-presence of history of depression in family

-Chronic stress

-Childhood trauma

-Physical or mental abuse

-Certain physical illnesses and medications

Causes of depression: 

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There can be several causes of depression, the most common causes are:

Chronic stress:

Stressful life situations like trauma, abuse, losing a loved one, work or family responsibilities or relationship issues can develop depression. The risk of depression increases if the person spends most of the time alone and stops meeting with friends or family.

Giving birth:

A woman goes through several ups and downs during the pregnancy, there’s are several hormonal changes that take place which can take a toll on the woman’s mental health. Postpartum depression is a mental health issue that happens after giving birth. The feeling of sadness can interfere with day-to-day life and can make you feel unconnected or unhappy with your baby.

Medical conditions:

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Certain medical conditions like diabetes, cancer or parkinson’s disease can make you more prone to depression. 

Personality

People who get anxious easily, have low self-esteem or have trouble telling their feelings to anyone can develop depression.The personality of the person is usually connected with their early life experiences and sometimes it’s genetic too.

Family history:

Having a family history of depression in the past can develop depression. If your parents or siblings have depression, it's very likely that you can also get it from certain triggers during life.

Medications:

Some drugs can cause depression as a side effect.

It’s okay to feel low sometimes, but if the feeling of sadness is persistent or interferes with your day to day life, you must see a healthcare provider. It’s okay to ask for help or take therapy. Remember you're not alone. Anyone can suffer from depression and you don’t need to have an explanation for your situation. Talk to Gytree experts to talk about your symptoms in a safe, non judgmental space.