Prone to Depression? – Factors That Can Put You at Risk for the Condition

Are you prone to feeling depressed? Worried that you might be suffering from clinical depression?

It’s not always easy to tell. There are many factors that can contribute to depression.

That is why it’s so important to recognize the risks and understand how they can affect your life.

What are some of these risk factors?

Experiencing a Traumatic Event or Loss

A traumatic event or loss is a powerful event for anybody. It can change our perspective on life as well as elicit a sense of fear or emptiness.

Some examples of traumatic events include:

• The death of a friend or loved one
• Witnessing an accident
• Being part of a natural disaster
• Losing your job
• Experiencing an illness

When these things happen they can send us into a tailspin, which makes it difficult to get back on track.

Depression and Genetics

Another important factor that can put you at risk for depression is your genes. Think about it. Do you have a family member who has also suffered from depression? Chances are likely that, if that’s the case, then you could be at risk for depression as well.

Research shows that between 29-30% of men with depression have a genetic link, with the rate being even higher for women, between 40-42%. Although your genes do not necessarily determine your future, it is something to consider when determining your risk for depression.

A Negative Outlook on Life

When we have a negative outlook on life, it can greatly affect how we cope. Sometimes this perspective comes from childhood experiences, such as experiencing a loss or living through a childhood trauma. Other times this negativity arises through the experiences we have in our adult life and how we interact with other people.

If you are always seeing the world as a glass half-empty, then it can be difficult to have any optimism or hope. This, in turn, makes you much more susceptible to depression.

What to Do about Depression

For example, you can learn to manage your depressive moods by:

• Making lifestyle changes, such as exercising
• Seeing the world in a different light
• Connecting with other people
• Recognizing how to appropriately express your feelings

In the end, there is no singular cause for depression. There are many ways that it can develop whether it’s your biology, your life experiences, or the choices you make in your daily life. However, there is a lot that is still in your control to ensure that depression does not overrun your life.