Factors that make you predisposed to depression

What makes some people more vulnerable to depression than others.

There are several factors including:

If depression runs in your family then you are more genetically predisposed to depression than others.

Early childhood experiences affect the developing brain and may sometimes lead to trouble in adulthood.

If your primary caregiver was emotionally out of tune with you as a child - perhaps because of their own depression. The child may never develop a healthy sense of self-esteem and feel worthy of love. They may also be unable to fully trust others and even be unable to control their own impulses.

Shyness and social anxiety are linked to depression. The social isolation caused by the above leads to worsening symptoms.

Lack of a proper social support structure only makes the depression worse.

Rejection or criticism cuts deeply while good things only result in a fleeting sense of happiness.

People with depression tend to think in a much more negative, self-critical and pessimistic way than people who are not depressed.

The death of a parent, sexual, verbal or emotional abuse or neglect or some other traumatic incident in childhood.

Emotional abuse especially is one of the most common occurences in depressed patients. Things like name calling, constant criticising and undermining and the withdrawal of love and affection just because the parent is in a bad mood.

Childhood problems with siblings including feeling that a sibling was favored or that a sibling rejected or bullied them.

Any major or chronic illness can set off a depressive cycle.

Losing money, your job or postion can lead to depression because people start to question their sense of self-worth.

Grief can feel like depression and it can lead to depression unless we move on.

Losing your status can also lead to depression. Aging and losing your beauty or getting divorced and no longer being a wife, or kids leaving home (empty nest syndrome).