There are many factors that can contribute to a person becoming depressed.
Factors causing depression
Predisposing factors are features of personality or lifestyle that make a person susceptible to depression. These may be related to genetic factors, early lifetime experiences, or social circumstances.
Precipitating factors are triggers which can be directly associated with the episode of depression, such as the death of a spouse.
Depression can also be due to factors within our control, such as certain medications, and nutritional or hormonal imbalances.
Factors leading to depression in any individual case are varied. The following examples show the factors that most commonly cause depression.
Predisposing factors
Genetics
Research suggests that our genes play a role in anxiety and depression. Certain gene defects have been identified amongst families that have a history of depressive illness and anxiety. On a positive note, even though people with the gene defects may be more susceptible to depression, other factors are usually required to trigger the process.
Upbringing
We learn coping skills from our parents and experiences. Where people have not been taught these abilities, or life experiences have been very stressful, they may find it harder to deal with problems in later life. This adaptability needs to be learnt, or developed further to enable people to deal with problems and recover from depression.
Precipitating factors
Stress
Modern life puts a lot of stress on the body and mind. We are all expected to work harder and longer. Pressures of work, education, home life, relationships and illness put added strain on us, and can lead to anxiety and depression. Research has shown that stress can cause actual physical pain, and cycles begin to evolve between stress, pain and depression. For more information, go to the Latest research section.
Diet
People now eat a lot more processed foods, and less whole food. Our diets contain more sugar and less nutritional value than the food consumed by our ancestors. Meals are rushed, breakfast is skipped, and caffeine is consumed in high quantities. All of these factors affect health, and the extent to which the body can cope with stress and hormonal imbalance.
Illness
Severe, painful, debilitating or terminal illness is exceedingly stressful. Depression often occurs alongside other illnesses such as psychiatric disorders and substance abuse.
| Some illnesses have symptoms accompanied by an emotional flatness similar to depression. These include: - chronic fatigue syndrome
- candida
- hormone imbalance
- hypoglycaemia
|
Factors within our control
Nutritional or hormonal imbalances and medication can cause symptoms of depression.
| Anything that reduces the levels of serotonin and noradrenalin in the brain can potentially aggravate the condition for example: - smoking
- substance / alcohol abuse
- high sugar intake
- hypoglycaemia and diabetes
- nutrient deficiencies due to poor diet
- chronic pain
|
Sleep disorders
Depression and lack of sleep can form a vicious circle. When people have severe sleep deprivation they may become depressed, and in extreme cases psychotic.
Prominent symptoms are insomnia (the inability to get enough sleep, and frequent waking) and hypersomnia (being unable to wake up, and needing a great deal of sleep). Approximately 85% of depressed people complain of insomnia. If they are worrying about a problem or feel depressed, they may feel too troubled to sleep.
Risks related to depression
Suicide
Those successful in committing suicide have frequently expressed their intentions during the preceeding weeks.
If somebody talks about suicide, the problem should be discussed and taken seriously. Talking about it is often the first step in asking for help.
| Discussing suicide will not make someone more likely to attempt to kill themselves |
About 70% of the 4000 suicides in Britain each year are among depressives. Approximately 15% of all people suffering from depression commit suicide.
3 times as many men as women commit suicide.
80% of those who attempt suicide are women. Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is the technical term for attempted suicide, and is the cry for help that is commonly talked about when discussing the act.
Feelings of desperation and worthlessness affect many thousands of people each year. They are afraid to talk about suicide. If they do, family and friends do not know how to deal with the subject and can ignore danger signals.
Acknowledging the fact that a person is depressed and suicidal is important people are less likely to overcome their problems until family and friends offer support and understanding.
| If you are feeling suicidal, or know someone who is, seek advice immediately from your doctor, or one of the organisations in the Further information section of this topic |
Self neglect
When a person becomes depressed, they may neglect personal hygiene and appearance due to feelings of worthlessness and detachment. Diet and well being may also be neglected, causing wide-ranging health problems. Alcohol and / or substance abuse can accelerate the effects of self-neglect and depressive illness.
Accidents
Lack of concentration, tiredness, excess anger and irritability can lead to accidents or dangerous events occurring at home or in the work place. Some forms of medication used to treat depression can cause symptoms such as drowsiness, making driving or operating machinery dangerous.
A doctor can offer further advice and information on risk factors relating to depression. You can find out further sources of information from the Further information section.
03/06/2009