Causes and Risk Factors of Depression

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon Causes of DepressionFamily History & GeneticsBrain & Body CausesLifestyle CausesNext in Depression GuideHow Depression Is Diagnosed According to the DSM-5

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Common Causes of Depression

Family History & Genetics

Brain & Body Causes

Lifestyle Causes

Next in Depression Guide

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If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. It can affect anyone at almost any age, but what causes depression in some people isnot always known. Potential depression causes can include genetics, brain chemistry, life events, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that approximately 1 in 5 U.S. adults have received a depression diagnosis in their lifetime.The World Health Organization estimates that 5% ofmenand 9% of women experience depressive disorders in any given year.

This article discusses common causes of depression. It covers the genetic, biological, and environmental factors that can play a role in the condition.

Researchers suspect there are actually many different causes of depression and that it is not always preventable. Factors that can contribute to depression include:

Depression does not have a single cause. There are many factors that play a role in increasing the risk that a person will develop the condition. Women experience depression at higher rates than men (10.5% of women vs. 6.2% of men),which experts suggest may be due to hormonal factors.

Family History and Genetics

Twin, adoption, and family studies have linked depression to genetics. While studies suggest that there is a strong genetic component, researchers are not yet certain about all the genetic risk factors for depression.

Studies show that having a parent and grandparent with depression doubles the risk of having the condition.

It is still unclear exactly which genes play a role in depression, but researchers do know that there are many different genes that can play a role. By better understanding how they function, gene researchers hope to be able to create more effective treatments.

It is important to remember that no single cause of depression acts in isolation. Genetics may increase your risk and environmental influences may then determine how likely you are to develop depression.

Is Depression Hereditary?

Brain and Body Causes of Depression

Some causes of depression are related to the brain and body. These can raise your risk for depression.

Brain Chemistry Imbalances

One potential biological cause of depression is animbalance in the neurotransmitterswhich are involved in mood regulation.Certain neurotransmitters, including dopamine,serotonin, and norepinephrine, play an important role in mood.

Neurotransmittersare chemical substances that help different areas of the brain communicate with each other. When certain neurotransmitters are in short supply, it may lead to the symptoms we recognize as clinical depression.

This theory of depression suggests that having too much or too little of certain neurotransmitters causes, or at least contributes to, depression.

While this explanation is often cited as a major cause of depression, it remains unproven and many experts believe that it doesn’t paint a complete picture of the complex factors that contribute to the condition.

Medications totreat depressionoften focus on altering the levels of certain chemicals in the brain. Some of these treatments includeselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

Commonly Prescribed Antidepressants

Physical Health and Certain Medical Conditions

You may be more likely to experience symptoms of depression if you have a chronic illness, sleep disorder, or thyroid condition. Depression rates also tend to be higher among people who have chronic pain, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and cancer.

The mind and the body are linked. If you are experiencing a physical health problem, you may discover changes in your mental health as well.

Illness is related to depression in two ways. The stress of having a chronic illness may trigger an episode of major depression. In addition, certain illnesses, such as thyroid disorders, Addison’s disease, and liver disease, can cause depression symptoms.

Female Sex Hormones

It has been widely documented thatwomen experience major depressionabout twice as often as men. Because of the incidence of depressive disorders peaks during women’s reproductive years, it is believed that hormonal risk factors may be at play.

Women are especially prone to depressive disorders during times when their hormones are in flux, such as around the time of theirmenstrual period, pregnancy, childbirth, and perimenopause. The risk of depression declines after menopause.

2:12Some Common Causes of Depression

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Some Common Causes of Depression

The Best Online Help Resources for Depression

Lifestyle Causes of Depression

There are also a number of lifestyle factors that can play a role in causing depression. While many of the risk factors for depression, such as sex or family history, cannot be changed, people have much more control over lifestyle factors.

Circadian Rhythm Disturbances

Light entering the eye influences this rhythm. During the shorter days of winter, when people may spend limited time outdoors, this rhythm may become disrupted.

People who reside in colder climates where there are short, dark days may be at the highest risk.

In addition to disruptions in circadian rhythm, reduced sunlight can also lead to a drop in serotonin levels in the brain, which may influence mood. Seasonal changes can also alter melatonin levels in the body, which can disrupt sleep and contribute to mood changes.

While you cannot control seasonal shifts, there are steps you can take to minimize the effect these changes have on your mental health. Light therapy, spending more time outdoors, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly may help combat seasonal depression.

Poor Nutrition

A poor diet can contribute to depression in several ways. A variety ofvitamin and mineral deficienciesare known to cause symptoms of depression. In addition, diets high in sugar have been associated with depression.

Some studies have found that diets either low in omega-3 fatty acids or with an imbalanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats are associated with increased rates of depression.

Stress

Stressful life events, which overwhelm a person’s ability to cope, can also be a cause of depression.Researchers suspect high levels of the hormone cortisol, which are secreted during periods ofstress, may affect the neurotransmitter serotonin and contribute to depression.

Grief and Loss

The symptoms of grief are expected to subside over time. But when symptoms get worse, grief may turn into depression.

Grief vs. Depression: Which Is It?

Substance Use

Drug and alcohol usecan contribute to depressive disorders.But even some prescription drugs have been linked to depression.

Some drugs that have been found to be associated with depression include anticonvulsants, statins, stimulants, benzodiazepines, corticosteroids, and beta-blockers.It’s important to review any medications that you’ve been prescribed and to speak with your physician if you are feeling depressed.

How Depression Is Diagnosed

11 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National, State-Level, and County-Level Prevalence Estimates of Adults Aged ≥18 Years Self-Reporting a Lifetime Diagnosis of Depression — United States, 2020.National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.Lohoff FW.Overview of the genetics of major depressive disorder.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2010;12(6):539-546. doi:10.1007/s11920-010-0150-6National Institute of Mental Health.Chronic illness & mental health.Weissman MM, Berry OO, Warner V.A 30-year study of 3 generations at high risk and low risk for depression.JAMA Psychiatry. 2016;73(9):970-977. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.1586Ng E, Browne CJ, Samsom JN, Wong AHC.Depression and substance use comorbidity: What we have learned from animal studies.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017;43(4):456-474. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1183020Yang L, Zhao Y, Wang Y, et al.The effects of psychological stress on depression.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(4):494-504. doi:10.2174/1570159x1304150831150507Knüppel A, Shipley MJ, Llewellyn CH, Brunner EJ.Sugar intake from sweet food and beverages, common mental disorder and depression: Prospective findings from the Whitehall II study.Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):6287. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-05649-7Larrieu T, Layé S.Food for mood: Relevance of nutritional omega-3 fatty acids for depression and anxiety.Front Physiol. 2018;9:1047. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01047Zisook S, Shear K.Grief and bereavement: What psychiatrists need to know.World Psychiatry. 2009;8(2):67-74. doi:10.1002/j.2051-5545.2009.tb00217.xQato, DM, Ozenberger, K, Olfson, M.Prevalence of prescription medications with depression as a potential adverse effect among adults in the United States.JAMA.2018;319(22):2289-2298. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.6741Additional ReadingAziz R, Steffens D.What are the causes of late-life depression?.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2013;36(4):497-516. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2013.08.001Wigner P, Czarny P, Galecki P, Su KP, Sliwinski T.The molecular aspects of oxidative & nitrosative stress and the tryptophan catabolites pathway (TRYCATs) as potential causes of depression.Psychiatr Res. 2018;262:566-574. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.09.045

11 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National, State-Level, and County-Level Prevalence Estimates of Adults Aged ≥18 Years Self-Reporting a Lifetime Diagnosis of Depression — United States, 2020.National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.Lohoff FW.Overview of the genetics of major depressive disorder.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2010;12(6):539-546. doi:10.1007/s11920-010-0150-6National Institute of Mental Health.Chronic illness & mental health.Weissman MM, Berry OO, Warner V.A 30-year study of 3 generations at high risk and low risk for depression.JAMA Psychiatry. 2016;73(9):970-977. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.1586Ng E, Browne CJ, Samsom JN, Wong AHC.Depression and substance use comorbidity: What we have learned from animal studies.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017;43(4):456-474. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1183020Yang L, Zhao Y, Wang Y, et al.The effects of psychological stress on depression.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(4):494-504. doi:10.2174/1570159x1304150831150507Knüppel A, Shipley MJ, Llewellyn CH, Brunner EJ.Sugar intake from sweet food and beverages, common mental disorder and depression: Prospective findings from the Whitehall II study.Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):6287. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-05649-7Larrieu T, Layé S.Food for mood: Relevance of nutritional omega-3 fatty acids for depression and anxiety.Front Physiol. 2018;9:1047. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01047Zisook S, Shear K.Grief and bereavement: What psychiatrists need to know.World Psychiatry. 2009;8(2):67-74. doi:10.1002/j.2051-5545.2009.tb00217.xQato, DM, Ozenberger, K, Olfson, M.Prevalence of prescription medications with depression as a potential adverse effect among adults in the United States.JAMA.2018;319(22):2289-2298. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.6741Additional ReadingAziz R, Steffens D.What are the causes of late-life depression?.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2013;36(4):497-516. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2013.08.001Wigner P, Czarny P, Galecki P, Su KP, Sliwinski T.The molecular aspects of oxidative & nitrosative stress and the tryptophan catabolites pathway (TRYCATs) as potential causes of depression.Psychiatr Res. 2018;262:566-574. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.09.045

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National, State-Level, and County-Level Prevalence Estimates of Adults Aged ≥18 Years Self-Reporting a Lifetime Diagnosis of Depression — United States, 2020.National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.Lohoff FW.Overview of the genetics of major depressive disorder.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2010;12(6):539-546. doi:10.1007/s11920-010-0150-6National Institute of Mental Health.Chronic illness & mental health.Weissman MM, Berry OO, Warner V.A 30-year study of 3 generations at high risk and low risk for depression.JAMA Psychiatry. 2016;73(9):970-977. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.1586Ng E, Browne CJ, Samsom JN, Wong AHC.Depression and substance use comorbidity: What we have learned from animal studies.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017;43(4):456-474. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1183020Yang L, Zhao Y, Wang Y, et al.The effects of psychological stress on depression.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(4):494-504. doi:10.2174/1570159x1304150831150507Knüppel A, Shipley MJ, Llewellyn CH, Brunner EJ.Sugar intake from sweet food and beverages, common mental disorder and depression: Prospective findings from the Whitehall II study.Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):6287. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-05649-7Larrieu T, Layé S.Food for mood: Relevance of nutritional omega-3 fatty acids for depression and anxiety.Front Physiol. 2018;9:1047. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01047Zisook S, Shear K.Grief and bereavement: What psychiatrists need to know.World Psychiatry. 2009;8(2):67-74. doi:10.1002/j.2051-5545.2009.tb00217.xQato, DM, Ozenberger, K, Olfson, M.Prevalence of prescription medications with depression as a potential adverse effect among adults in the United States.JAMA.2018;319(22):2289-2298. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.6741

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.National, State-Level, and County-Level Prevalence Estimates of Adults Aged ≥18 Years Self-Reporting a Lifetime Diagnosis of Depression — United States, 2020.

National Institute of Mental Health.Major depression.

Lohoff FW.Overview of the genetics of major depressive disorder.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2010;12(6):539-546. doi:10.1007/s11920-010-0150-6

National Institute of Mental Health.Chronic illness & mental health.

Weissman MM, Berry OO, Warner V.A 30-year study of 3 generations at high risk and low risk for depression.JAMA Psychiatry. 2016;73(9):970-977. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.1586

Ng E, Browne CJ, Samsom JN, Wong AHC.Depression and substance use comorbidity: What we have learned from animal studies.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017;43(4):456-474. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1183020

Yang L, Zhao Y, Wang Y, et al.The effects of psychological stress on depression.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2015;13(4):494-504. doi:10.2174/1570159x1304150831150507

Knüppel A, Shipley MJ, Llewellyn CH, Brunner EJ.Sugar intake from sweet food and beverages, common mental disorder and depression: Prospective findings from the Whitehall II study.Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):6287. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-05649-7

Larrieu T, Layé S.Food for mood: Relevance of nutritional omega-3 fatty acids for depression and anxiety.Front Physiol. 2018;9:1047. doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.01047

Zisook S, Shear K.Grief and bereavement: What psychiatrists need to know.World Psychiatry. 2009;8(2):67-74. doi:10.1002/j.2051-5545.2009.tb00217.x

Qato, DM, Ozenberger, K, Olfson, M.Prevalence of prescription medications with depression as a potential adverse effect among adults in the United States.JAMA.2018;319(22):2289-2298. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.6741

Aziz R, Steffens D.What are the causes of late-life depression?.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2013;36(4):497-516. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2013.08.001Wigner P, Czarny P, Galecki P, Su KP, Sliwinski T.The molecular aspects of oxidative & nitrosative stress and the tryptophan catabolites pathway (TRYCATs) as potential causes of depression.Psychiatr Res. 2018;262:566-574. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.09.045

Aziz R, Steffens D.What are the causes of late-life depression?.Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2013;36(4):497-516. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2013.08.001

Wigner P, Czarny P, Galecki P, Su KP, Sliwinski T.The molecular aspects of oxidative & nitrosative stress and the tryptophan catabolites pathway (TRYCATs) as potential causes of depression.Psychiatr Res. 2018;262:566-574. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2017.09.045

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