Common Risk Factors for Depression

Depression is a common mood disorder, affecting about 7% of the adult population in the United States. Feelings of sadness are a normal part of the human experience, so how can you tell if what you’re feeling is an ongoing, serious problem? How can you tell if you are depressed? What are the risk factors for depression? This article will address these questions and more.

Sometimes, living with depression can start to feel normal. You might know something’s wrong, but addressing it can seem overwhelming. Where do you start? Is your condition treatable, or does hope seem out of reach? (Hint: it’s not! You have options.)

A good place to start: consider your symptoms and whether they align with depression symptoms.

Symptoms of Depression

Mayo Clinic defines depression as: “(A) mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest.” (emphasis added)

Think about hobbies or activities that you used to enjoy. Do you have trouble engaging in them now with the same sense of enjoyment? Do you feel sad for the majority of the day?

Here are some other red flags of depression:

• Anger and irritability
• Sleep disturbances (insomnia or excessive sleep)
• Ongoing fatigue/exhaustion
• Anxiety
• Appetite disturbances (eating too much or too little on a regular basis)
• Difficulty concentrating
• Persistent thoughts of death or suicide
• Unexplained physical problems or pain (headaches, indigestion, etc.)

If you have these problems regularly, they might be linked to a depression disorder. The DSM-V, which is the standard for diagnosis, recognizes several different types of depression:

• Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Persistent depressive disorder
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• Depressive disorder due to another medical condition

In other words, if you do have depression, your symptoms may vary based on which type you have. Journaling your symptoms can help you take the first step toward recognizing them. Set aside a few days or weeks to track your mood.

Severe Depression Warning Signs

If you or someone you love has been struggling with depression, it’s crucial to be aware of the warning signs for serious or severe depression. Here are some signs to watch for (WebMD):

• Hopelessness
• Persistent thoughts of death
• Suicidal thoughts or attempts
• In some cases, psychotic symptoms like delusions or hallucinations
• Inability to perform basic life tasks
• Extreme mood swings
• Isolation and withdrawal

If you are having severe depression and/or suicidal thoughts, please call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Risk Factors for Depression

There’s no one specific cause we can point to and say, “That’s the reason you’re depressed.” However, there is a combination of factors that raise the risk of depression in an individual.

Consider this list of risk factors for depression from Psych Central:

Family history of mental illness. Genetics play a role in the likelihood of developing mental illness. Family members with depression, anxiety, OCD, etc., increase the likelihood that you may suffer from one or more of those conditions.

Chronic physical or mental disorders. Chronic pain, physical illnesses (cancer, stroke, hormonal disorders, etc.), and a history of depression increase your risk of depression going forward.

Major life changes and stress. Have you had a lot of upheaval in your life recently or experienced a major change such as job transition, getting married, the birth of a child, or moving? Even good changes increase your stress level and can affect your mental health if you are prone to depression.

Little or no social support. The lack of a well-rounded social network increases rates of depression in both sexes, and researchers have found higher rates of depression in women who stay home with young children and say that they are isolated.

Psychological factors. Certain individuals have less resilience and optimism than others, and this may raise their chances of becoming depressed. Other psychological risk factors include low self-esteem, perfectionism, and having a chronic anxiety disorder.

Low socioeconomic status. Poverty increases the risk of depression.

Female gender. Women are twice as likely as men to be depressed.

Age. Older people are also more likely to be depressed.

Insomnia. Lack of sleep has a strong association with depression, according to Psych Central.

Medications. Certain medications are associated with depression. Talk to your doctor if your depression is correlated with the start of taking a specific medication.

What is “High-Functioning Depression”?

High-functioning depression has become a popular phrase to describe the condition of being depressed, but still carrying out your daily responsibilities and interactions. This term is not a clinical diagnosis.

Experts think the condition most closely resembles persistent depressive disorder, a type of depression in which a person has times of normal moods in between depressive episodes. (Medical News Today)

High-functioning depression can also simply describe ongoing, chronic mild depression.

Overcoming Depression

Taking steps to conquer depression is like creating a recipe. You’ll need to test out different ingredients, their amounts, and try different approaches to find out what creates the best result. No two people are the same, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to overcoming a mental illness.

Depression is not your fault, and, understandably, you can’t just “snap out of it.” Let’s start by talking about some evidence-based approaches that have been proven to help some cases of depression (Psychology Today). Some of these complementary approaches involve things you can do for free at home, starting today:

Light therapy. Using a light therapy lamp for a small amount of time each day may reduce depression, especially Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the winter.

Exercise. Over time, regular exercise can reduce depression.

Yoga.

Music therapy.

Art therapy.

Herbs and supplements. Certain supplements, like fish oil, are correlated with reduced depression.

Lifestyle changes should always be considered as part of a depression treatment plan. A holistic treatment approach involves all aspects of your life. Start small, and talk to your counselor about how to incorporate some healthy changes little by little in a way that works for you.

Depression and the Bible

Although unfortunately in some cases, Christians have been told they shouldn’t be depressed or that depression is a sin, this is simply not the case. The causes of depression are complex and not easy to understand, but depression is not a result of not having enough faith or not being a “good enough” Christian.

Experts have found success in treating depression using religiously integrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Incorporating faith in Christ in depression recovery allows you to experience his grace and love on your journey of healing.

Mental illness is real, whether you are a Christian or not. Just as God has provided us with doctors, medications, and lifestyle changes for treating physical illness, so he also provides practical resources for help with mental illness.

The counselors at Seattle Christian Counseling are here to help you with depression recovery and improving your quality of life because you are a valuable human, created in the image of God, and meant to flourish and thrive, not simply survive.

Finding wholeness and peace in your faith is not a cure for a mental disorder, but it is part of the path to healing. When you meet with a Christian counselor, your spiritual wellness will be part of the counseling process.

Christian Counseling for Depression

Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is one of the most well-recognized treatments for depression. Through approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and other approaches based on your individual needs, your counselor can help you address your symptoms.

According to Verywell Mind, 80-90% of people respond well to treatment for depression, with therapy being a highly effective aspect of treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will I need counseling for depression?

That depends on your situation, treatment goals, and the severity of your symptoms. With mild to moderate depression, short-term counseling (six months or less) may be adequate to address your condition. It’s important to continue to follow up afterward, especially if your symptoms worsen again.

For moderate to severe depression, long-term psychotherapy may be indicated. During your risk-free initial session, you can discuss your symptoms and goals with your counselor, and they can help you know where to start.

Is virtual counseling available?

Online or virtual counseling can be effective in treating depression, especially during times of isolation. Reach out to our office today through our contact form or by phone at 206-388-3929 to discuss options for virtual sessions.

What about medication?

Medication for depression is another valid treatment option that improves symptoms for many people. Your counselor can work in conjunction with your physician to find out whether medication might be a good option for you.

Counseling for Depression Offers Hope and Healing

If you are struggling with symptoms of any type of depression, reach out to our office today. We are here for you. You are not alone.