Understanding the Risk Factors for Depression
November 20, 2024
Individuals from all walks of life can suffer from it.
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Depression is among the most significant mental health issues affecting people across the globe. People from all walks of life can suffer from depression, which the World Health Organization reports affects an estimated 5 percent of the global adult population.
A host of variables can affect the likelihood a person will get depression. For example, the Cleveland Clinic notes that some people develop depression in late fall and early winter and experience it until the return of spring. This form of depression, often referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), has been linked to fewer opportunities to get outdoors when the temperature drops and fewer hours of daylight, a shift in sunlight patterns that becomes most noticeable when fall begins to transition into winter.
Seasonal changes in weather are beyond individuals’ control, which underscores how vulnerable people can be to depression, even when they are fully cognizant of that vulnerability. But recognition of vulnerability to depression is significant, as it may compel people to take steps that can reduce their risk of developing the condition. With that in mind, the following are some additional risk factors for depression as noted by the National Institute of Mental Health.
· Gender: The NIMH notes that women are diagnosed with depression more often than men. However, that should not give men a false sense of security regarding depression, as the NIMH reports that men may be less likely to recognize, discuss or seek help for their emotional problems, a sentiment echoed by the Anxiety & Depression Association of America. Even if men are less likely to report mental health issues, the Mayo Clinic reports women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression. That’s a notable distinction women must recognize.
· Sexual orientation: The NIMH reports that rates of depression are elevated among members of the LGBTQI+ community. According to the American Psychiatric Association, LGBTQ individuals are 2.5 times more likely to experience various mental health issues, including depression, compared to heterosexual individuals. In addition, Mental Health America reports that LGBTQIA+ teens are six times more likely to experience symptoms of depression than non-LGBTQIA+-identifying teens.
· Adverse life events: No one’s life goes smoothly from start to finish. Adverse events affect everyone, and people are more likely to develop depression after going through events like unemployment or the loss of a loved one. Though a certain measure of sadness is to be expected when losing one’s job or confronting the death of a friend of family member, if such feelings persist then a person might be developing or in the throes of depression.
· Family history: Stanford Medicine notes there seems to be a genetic influence in regard to depression. Though the experts at Stanford note researchers have yet to identify how many genes are involved in depression, they assert that there seem to be combinations of genetic changes that predispose some people to developing depression. A recent study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry indicated biological offspring of parents with depression are two to five times as likely to develop major depressive disorder compared to individuals with no such family history.
It’s important to note that these are just risk factors for depression. Neither the presence nor the absence of any of these factors guarantees a person will or will not develop depression. More information about depression can be found at nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression.
