Stages & Causes of Depression

Difficult situations

Depression can occur as a reaction to a difficult situation, that feels overwhelming. This could be grief due to life events, like the loss of a loved one, a break-up, the loss of a job. It could also occur due to persistent problems at work/school/college, conflict in our relationships with friends or family, or from stress caused by being in a dire financial situation.

Mental illness

Depression can coexist, alongside other mental illnesses—like a personality disorder, schizophrenia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

In such cases, the depression may continue to affect us as long as the underlying illness that is causing depression remains untreated.

Physical health and illness

Low levels of certain vitamins and minerals can cause depression. Suffering from a serious physical illness can impact our health and lead to depression, too.

Genetic factors

While depression cannot be inherited, having a history of mental illness in the family can increase one’s susceptibility to it, when faced with situations mentioned above.