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Causes of Depression
There's no simple explanation for why people experience
depression. Early life experience, environmental factors,
genetic predisposition, life style factors, and social support –
or the lack thereof – all play a part in causing depression.
Depression can be the outcome of many different kinds of
experiences, from early childhood to later life.
It's a complex disease that can develop for a variety of
reasons.
Many people become depressed
after a major life change—the death of a loved one, a divorce,
the loss of a job. Even seemingly happy events, such as becoming
a parent or getting married, can cause depression. For other
people who are predisposed to the disease, a relatively small
event—for example, losing a wallet—can trigger a debilitating
episode.
While no one knows exactly
what causes depression—and there may not always be an apparent
reason, there are some inherent risk factors.
- Genetic Causes - A family history of depression.
However, it's worth mentioning that since no gene for
depression has been found, this may be an environmental
factor, rather than a genetic one.
- Trauma In Life - Grief from the death or illness
of a loved one such as the death of a parent in childhood,
or being abused or neglected. Physical, sexual, or emotional
abuse.
- Stress - This can be attributed to a difficult
relationship (fights with family members or disputes at
work), financial problems, or overwhelming amount of work.
- Lifestyle Factors - Major life events, such as
moving away from friends and family, graduating from
college, changing jobs, getting married or divorced,
becoming a new parent, or retiring.
However keep in mind that
depression can affect anyone
at any age—regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or income
level. You don't have to live with it. The most important thing
is recognizing that you have an illness and seeking appropriate
treatment.
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