According to Medicinenet, there is not definite cause of depression, but it tends to result from various biological, psychological, and environmental factors. The following consists of a list of the risk factors, which include but are not limited to:
Biological Factors:
- Brain Chemistry– Depression occurs when an individual lacks the necessary level of neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain causing some areas become smaller or have increased activity
- Differences In Gender– Girls are more likely to be given diagnosis than boys. They are also more encouraged to interpret and respond to their experiences.
- Family History– Teens who have a family history of depression are 4 times as likely to develop this illness.
Psychological Factors:
- having low self-esteem and feeling helpless
- negative social skills & body image
- being too self-critical
- Children with ADHD, clinical anxiety, or learning issues are more susceptible to developing depression
Environmental Factors:
- Experiences of life stresses– includes verbal, physical, or sexual abuse, loss of loved one, issues at school, peer pressure, trauma IQ, etc.
- Children who are obese, struggling to adapt to the US culture, have limited mobility, poor school performance, or lost a relationship are more prone to developing depression
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