Risk factors
Children, teens or adults who have a family member with a mood disorder have a greater chance of also having a mood disorder.
Causes
Mood disorders can manifest themselves in several ways, which is why it’s important for mental health professionals to develop targeted treatments for certain types of depression. A greater understanding of depression and its different forms is a great first step towards getting help. Some common diagnoses include:
Genetics and Biochemical Factors
- Family history
- Brain chemistry (serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine)
- Low self-esteem
- Self-criticism or perfectionism
- Low self-worth
- Body dysmorphia
- Eating disorders
- Sensitivity to criticism
Bullying and Discrimination
- Peer rejection
- Cyberbullying
- Physical and verbal abuse
- Racism and bigotry
- Physical health problems
- Hormonal imbalance
- Chronic health conditions
- Injury and immobilisation
- Terminal illness
Life Events and Trauma
- Job loss
- Retirement
- Moving house
- Physical and verbal abuse
- Natural disaster
- Sexual assault
Life threatening experiences
- Witnessing death or injury
- Unstable living conditions
- Grief and loss
- Death of a loved one
- The end of a friendship/relationship
- Moving away
- Loneliness and isolation
- Lack of close family ties
- Separation
- Living alone
- Introversion
- Language or cultural barriers
- Geographic isolation
- Retirement
- Starting a new job or moving schools
- Fear of rejection
Drug Use
- Substance abuse
- Medication side effects
- Family or relationship breakdown
- Family suffering from mental illness
- Separation and divorce
- Friendship conflict
- Parental conflict
- Loss of intimacy
