Psychologically, the greatest risk factors contributing to depression are associated with your style of coping, your problem-solving style and your style of thought, especially the way you interpret and react to life experiences.
By
Michael Yapko, published on January 01, 2004 - last reviewed on April 09, 2007
Question: An article I read in a popular magazine compared risk
factors for depression to those for other diseases. I understand how
smoking causes lung cancer, but not how losing my job means I was at
risk for depression before it even happened.
Answer: A "risk factor" is any element that increases the
probability of a disorder occurring. Yes, smoking is a strong risk factor
for lung cancer. And in the most global sense, life itself is a risk
factor for depression. All people face uncertainty, adversity, loss and
other obstacles to well-being. But because all people face life
difficulties, why isn't everyone depressed?
What makes some people more vulnerable to depression than others?
Genes? Outlook on life? Diet? Income? In fact, all these and more
predispose to depression, making people especially vulnerable to the
effects of stress and adversity.
No one specific gene causes depression, but there is still
vulnerability due to a number of genes. A family history of depression
suggests, but does not prove, a genetic vulnerability in the face of
serious life stressors. Physical illness poses another biologic risk.
Some medications and street drugs can also trigger depression. Gender is
also a biological risk factor; being a woman increases the risk for
depression through hormonal factors related to the reproductive
cycle.
Psychologically, the greatest risk factors are associated with your
style of coping, your problem-solving style and your style of thought,
especially the way you interpret and react to life experiences. There is
a big difference between what actually happens to us in life and the
meaning we attach to it. That leads to complex issues of personality,
temperament, values that can increase or decrease vulnerability.
Socially speaking, depression often surfaces in the context of
relationships. Death of loved ones, romantic and marital breakups,
betrayals by friends or authority figures can all significantly increase
the risk of depression. Depression is far more likely in relationships
that are destructive and painful. On a broader level, the culture also
poses a risk. Cultures like ours that deemphasize social belonging have
high rates of depression.
Other general risk factors include: previous episodes of
depression, a history of sexual abuse, a history of early losses of
parents, alcohol or drug abuse, the presence of other serious
psychological or physical problems and overwhelming stressors.
A risk factor increases probability; disorder is not a certainty.
Identifying the particular vulnerability that made the loss of your job a
trigger for your depression would be wise, especially if you wish to
reduce the risk of future episodes. Maybe it is a value you hold that
says your work is your life, maybe it was losing face or prestige, maybe
it was the stress of economic insecurity, or any or all of these in
combination with other factors, too. The point is, not everyone loses a
job and becomes depressed. What pre-existing thoughts, feelings, values
or perceptions paved the way for depression to take hold of you? When you
have insight into the answer, you"re well on your way to developing
both a plan of therapy and of prevention.
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