Why does somebody become depressed?

PROFESSOR TINEKE OLDEHINKEL: A depression is almost always caused by a combination of two things– the type of person that you are and the situation that you’re in. If depressions are common in your family, you yourself, may have a higher risk of becoming depressed too. But that doesn’t mean that you will get a depression for sure. Even in twins who share the same genes, it’s possible that one of them gets depressed and the other does not. Some people are more sensitive to stress than others. People with such a sensitive personality have a higher risk of developing a depression than persons who are less easily upset. Physical problems can play a role as well.

For instance, people can get depressed if their body produces too many, or too few hormones. In addition to what you are like, the risk of developing a depression is related to stressful events. Many depressions start after people have experienced something bad, such as the loss of a loved person, or a major setback. Also, constant stressors, such as being bullied can cause a depression. If you are sensitive to stress, even minor events may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back and make you depressed. Sensitivity and stress add up. An insensitive person will need more stress to become depressed than a sensitive one.