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Risk & Protective Factors in Depression

Approximately 14.8 million Americans suffer from depression, according to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Although depression can strike anyone, some people are more at risk for developing depression than others.

  1. Time Frame

    • Depression usually develops during your late 20s, according to the Mayo Clinic. Women are also more frequently diagnosed with depression than men, especially during middle age during the one or two years that immediately precede menopause, reports the Cleveland Clinic.

    Risks

    • Other risk factors for depression include family members who suffer from depression or have taken their own lives, stress, death of a loved one, low self-esteem, being overly self-critical, pessimism and being in a low socioeconomic group, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Features

    • Some medications like those used to treat hypertension and oral contraceptives increase your risk for developing depression when taken for a number of years, and diagnosis of a disease like AIDS, cancer, heart disease, diabetes or Alzheimer's also leads to depression. Using substances like alcohol, nicotine and illegal drugs exacerbate depression, warns the Mayo Clinic.

    Prevention

    • There is no sure-fire way to prevent depression, but getting help early makes it far easier to treat depression, says the Mayo Clinic.

    Treatment

    • The most common treatment for depression is a combination of medications like antidepressants and therapy. Exercise, spending time with others and learning to manage stress also help reduce the effects of depression.

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