Depression can be caused by a multitude of factors, and it can affect people differently. After anxiety, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, it’s the most predominant mental health issue worldwide, affecting approximately 5.0% of adults globally.
In 2021, it was estimated that around 1 in 5 UK adults (21%) aged 16 years or above have experienced some form of depression ranging from moderate to severe so, ocd psychedelic therapy will help you out.
If you or someone else suffers from depression, it can be helpful to understand the risk factors associated with it.
Poor Nutrition and Health
If you’re not taking proper care of your body, your body won’t take care of you. It’s important to remember that everything you do and put into your body can have consequences.
Not only are those with a poor diet and lifestyle involving smoking, drugs and alcohol at a far higher risk for several physical health problems, but they’re also at a greater risk of mental health issues including depression.
One of the biggest lifestyle changes you can make is switching from smoking to vaping with an easy-to-use device such as Elf Bar disposables. Many studies have indicated that smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing depression due to its anxiety and tension-inducing effects.
Your sleeping pattern also plays a crucial role in your overall mood well-being – an irregular sleeping pattern is understood to contribute to the development of depression through changes in the function of serotonin, a vital neurotransmitter.
Family history
Genetics are also another significant depression-causing factor. If you have a close family member such as a parent or sibling who has depression, you will be at a greater risk of developing it yourself. In fact, depression is around 50% caused by genetics and 50% caused by unrelated psychological or physical factors.
Previous trauma
Depression can often be caused by previous trauma, whether this was an event that directly affected you or a loved one. One study involving individuals with major depression disorder found that 62.5% of participants reported more than two traumatic events which occurred during their childhoods. Similar to trauma, grief or loss can also lead to depression.
Stress
One of the main causes of depression is often stress. Stress can occur at any point in our lives, manifesting itself in both our personal or professional life. It can seep into all aspects of our lives, preventing us from enjoying our hobbies and spending quality time with loved ones.
All too often, many of us keep our stresses and worries bottled up from others, and refuse to say no even when we’re feeling overwhelmed. The more you take control of scenarios and the things that trigger your stress, the more you can reduce its impact and your risk of developing depression.
Gender
Surprisingly, your gender also has an impact on your chance of developing depression. As girls reach puberty before boys do, depression rates are higher in females than in males.
Subsequently, many men struggle to open up about their own struggles with depression, which unfortunately leads to a higher chance of suicide. Sadly, suicide among males is 15.3% per 100,000 compared to the female suicide rate which is 4.9% per 100,000 females.
By all means, depression is a by-product of living. However, with the right help and support, it can improve. If you are concerned about the well-being of yourself or someone else, don’t hesitate to reach out to someone.