Risk Factors for Depression
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Genetics
Does your family have a history of depression? According to Wyatt Myers of EverydayHealth.com, genetics is the most important risk factor for depression. If you have a parent who has suffered from the disease, the chance that you may get it doubles.
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Gender
This may sound strange, but gender really is a risk factor when it comes to depression. Wyatt Myers says that women are more affected than men. Some say this is because women are more sensitive when it comes to relationships and emotions than men, and they tend to let bad periods of their life spiral out of control. Other say that men deal with depression just as much as women, but they avoid seeking professional help for their problems, so the male cases of depression are under-reported.
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Loneliness and Isolation
Being alone can cause many people to feel extremely sad and depressed. Losing a spouse or moving away from friends can cause a person to feel isolated and in unfamiliar territory this happens often as people become older.
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Low Self- Esteem
People with low self-esteem often become depressed. This tends to be an on-going problem with a lot of younger people, who deal with bullies and teasing every single day. In older people, low self-esteem can be caused by trouble at work, or the lack of friends and loved ones.
