While Nobody actually knows what causes depression there are multiple factors that can lead that can lead to depression like a combination of recent and long term factors and personal ones.
Life Events
Research suggests that long term hardships – unemployment, living in a bad relationship or loneliness, prolonged work stress – are more likely to cause depression than recent life stresses. However, recent events (such as getting fired) or a combination of events can ‘trigger’ depression if you’re already at risk because of previous bad experiences or personal factors
Personal Factors
- Family history – Depression can run in families and some people will be at an increased genetic risk. However, having a parent or close relative with depression doesn’t mean you’ll automatically have the same experience. Life circumstances and other personal factors are still likely to have an important influence.
- Personality – Some people may be more at risk of depression because of their personality, particularly if they have a tendency to worry a lot, have low self-esteem, are perfectionists, are sensitive to personal criticism, or are self-critical and negative.
- Serious medical illness – The stress and worry of coping with a serious illness can lead to depression, especially if you’re dealing with long-term management and/or chronic pain.
- Drug and alcohol use – Drug and alcohol use can both lead to and result from depression. Many people with depression also have drug and alcohol problems. Over 500,000 Australians will experience depression and a substance use disorder at the same time, at some point in their lives.
What can I do to help?
If you know someone with depression there are many things you can all to help such as:
Get them to seek support the local GP, Psychiatrist or Psychologist can be a massive help
Beyond Blue have a online counselling service who are always ready to talk
Mental Health Disorders 