Depression is a complex mood disorder with tremendous ill effect on human life. 

The world has experienced a large number of depressive cases in last few decades. 

Researchers suggest that there are many possible environmental factors that affect the mood region in the brain which increases human vulnerability for depression. Both biological vulnerabilities and environmentally provoking experiences are major reasons for development of depression. 

Now, it’s a time to check out for factors that are enhancing human susceptibility for development of depression.

Also Check : Some People Are More Prone To Depression than other, Here Is Why?

Negative life experiences 

Undesirable negative life event is a major risk factor for development of depression. The extreme conditions of loss, isolation and loneliness trigger major depressive episodes. 

Loss of family members, loss of home or property in natural calamities and loss of cultural ties due to immigration usually manifested in a grieving process and stress. 

Isolation or even a sense of isolation from surrounding community contributes significantly to nervousness. 

Isolation associated with unsatisfied marital relationship, separation from family, unmet expectations in relationship and adjustment issues lead to significant stress that subsequently enhances possibility for depression. 

Even an idea of living alone is depressive for most of the people.

Childhood trauma 

Exposure to adversity in early stages of life is significantly associated with depression in adolescence and adulthood. Childhood maltreatment in the form of sexual abuse, physical harassment, emotional neglect and psychological abuse increases an individual’s vulnerability for mental illness.

Adolescent who face stressors such as social non-conformity, withdrawal, bullying, being raised by a stepmother and harassment by close relatives is significantly at risk of developing sad mood. 

Unfortunately, many of us could be a sufferer of neglect or tragedy during childhood, education and career. People might have faced issues of disturb family and unhealthy relationship leading to traumatic abuse during childhood phase. All these difficult experiences create thoughts in mind that world is an unsafe place, and this insecurity about our surrounding makes us to feel depressed.

Low socioeconomic status 

It’s never in our hand to choose our family background and financial status. Apart from its evident impact on social relationship, low-socioeconomic status affect mental health too. When someone grows in low-income family, a resulting strain of poverty and constant comparison with rich people contribute significantly for persistently low mood. 

Social inequalities in terms of standard of living, home qualities, income and saving increases the financial strain. Additionally, economic stress leading to low education, unemployment and dependency are major causes of low self-esteem and sad feelings. Such long-term stressful circumstances act as a major risk factor for development of depression. 

Being women

There is substantial evidence that being women is also one of the reason for depression. Depression is two time more prevalent in women compared to men with regular female to male ratio of 2:1. Stress-full role involving multiple responsibilities are challenging for women. 

Handling responsibilities of home and family, caring for children and aged at home may lead to persistent feeling of being stressed. In working women, in addition to home responsibilities, long working hours, job pressure and demand of meeting deadlines put constant stress on mind. 

As many culture restricted role of women as breadwinner, women who are widowed, divorced, or separated are financially dependent on other members of family. This financial insecurity puts these women at higher risk for developing mood disorders.

In the current era, being educated homemaker is also one of the major factors leading to constant stress in women. Staying at home to take care of family at the cost of higher academic qualification constantly triggers guilty feeling and sad mood.

Workplace environment 

Our workplace environment also determines our thought process. Workload, job dissatisfaction, poor skills, lack of appreciation, uncertainty in job, lack of career development, conflicts with colleague, prejudice, poor communication, work-life imbalance and exposure to hazardous conditions act as major stressor at work places.

Quarrel, excessive peer competition, experience of failure and rejection in major opportunities could be the reason for constant emotional consequences manifesting in the form of stress and psychological disturbances. All these significant life challenges increases the  risk for sadness and depression. 

Environmental pollution

Don’t get surprised. Yes, the research studies have proven that environmental pollution is the cause for depression in a majority of people. 

Airborn pollutants like diesel emission, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide and other wide array of hazardous substances are responsible for producing inflammation in a brain. In highly exposed person, this could lead to disturbance in the integrity of neurovascular structure, anatomical maldistribution and neurotransmitter imbalance resulting in depression.

Genetic predisposition

Family and twin studies have demonstrated that genetic factors play an important role in the onset of depressive disorders. Data from genetic studies shows that there are two to three-fold increase in the risk of depression in first-degree offspring of a depressive patient.

When our surrounding is full of stressors, maintaining a calm state of mind is difficult. Chronic depression could significantly enhance risk for suicidal thoughts, especially in adolescent, young adult and elderly. Therefore, addressing depression is utmost important before it takes a heavy mental toll. 

As a part of community, creating an healthy environment enriched with resilience to stress could be beneficial to overcome depression.

Disclaimer : The purpose of this blog is to create mental health awareness. This information is not a replacement for medical treatment or counseling therapy.