Life events significantly influence the development, severity, and progression of depression.

This impact can stem from direct emotional consequences and biological responses, but also from long-term changes in one’s outlook and behavior.

That’s why I compiled this list to present a broad look at how life events play a role in depression:

1. Loss and grief

• • Impact of losing loved ones: The death of a close family member, friend, or partner is one of the most common life events linked to depression.
    That’s because the grieving process, while natural, can sometimes lead to prolonged sadness, guilt, or even feelings of hopelessness. This risk is greatly increased if the individual has few support systems.
  • Divorce or relationship breakdowns: While endings of significant relationships are only natural, they can trigger intense feelings of worthlessness, loneliness, and self-blame.
    Especially when separation happens through divorce, separation, or estrangement, which can increase vulnerability to depression.
  • Loss of social identity: Losing a loved one, relationship, or pet can affect our sense of identity since we often define ourselves through these connections.
    This identity shift can contribute to feelings of emptiness and exacerbate depressive symptoms.

2. Trauma and abuse

• • Childhood trauma: Experiences of childhood abuse, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, are serious risk factors for depression.
    We know that childhood trauma can alter brain development and stress response systems. Both can create distorted self-views and are linked to depression.
  • PTSD and adult trauma: Trauma in adulthood by intense events such as assault, car accident, or witnessing violence can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). That’s why it’s regularly reported by soldiers who went to war.
    This often co-occurs with depression, and the emotional impact of shock can lead to helplessness, isolation, and persistent fear if left untreated.
  • Cumulative trauma: Repeated exposure to traumatic events (like living in a violent environment) can create “complex PTSD.”
    This often includes chronic depressive symptoms and persistent feelings of sadness, shame, or emotional numbness.

3. Chronic stress and daily pressures
   
   

• • Financial strain: Financial instability, debt, and poverty commonly induce persistent stress, insecurity, and self-blame, which can contribute to depression.
    The feeling of being “stuck” without control over one’s financial future can intensify depressive symptoms.
    Feeling stuck is a sensation most of us know all too well since almost everyone experiences that at some point in their lives. That’s why most can probably sympathize with the harsh feelings that can come with it.
  • Job-related stress: High-stress jobs, lack of job security, workplace harassment, or unsatisfactory career progression can make us feel inadequate while experiencing chronic stress as a result.
  • Caregiver stress: People who are caring for a loved one who is suffering from a chronic illness or disability regularly fall prey to caregiver stress.
    The emotional toll of the care, combined with potentially feeling isolated and guilty, can heighten the risk of depression in caregivers.

4. Major life transitions and events

• • Becoming a parent: The transition to parenthood is joyous for most, but it can also be incredibly challenging. That’s particularly true for those without support from loved ones.
    For example, postpartum depression can affect both mothers and fathers due to hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, and the new responsibilities of caregiving.
  • Retirement: Retirement can cause a loss of purpose, identity, and social interaction, increasing the risk of going through depression.
    That probably has something to do with a sense of aimlessness due to the sudden decrease in daily structure and activity.
  • Relocation or migration: Moving to a new house can already be stressful. But changing to a new city, country, or culture can be very isolating and stressful indeed.
    Needing to adjust to new social norms, a different environment, and a potential language barrier if moving countries can cause depressive symptoms.

5. Health problems and physical illness
   
   

• • Chronic illness: Chronic conditions like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and persistent pain can greatly impact daily life, self-perception, and quality of life. These chronic illnesses can cause depression, but the other way around is also possible.
    Physical illnesses often create limitations, discomfort, and a sense of loss that can contribute to psychological issues.
  • Traumatic injuries: Injuries that lead to disability or disfigurement, such as spinal cord injuries or severe burns, can have a profound psychological impact, leading to feelings of worthlessness, isolation, or even a loss of identity.
  • Neurological conditions: Neurological conditions can have a strong direct physiological impact on the brain that can predispose individuals to depression. Think of instances such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke.
    Mental disorders may arise from the brain’s biological changes and the lifestyle limitations imposed by the illness.

6. Unresolved interpersonal conflicts

• • Family conflict: Family disputes, ongoing disagreements, or estrangements may create chronic emotional distress.
    Feelings of betrayal, rejection, or guilt can linger and contribute to persistent depressive symptoms.
  • Social rejection and bullying: Experiencing social rejection or being left behind, especially during formative years when we’re still young, can lead to long-lasting negative self-views and low self-esteem.
    Bullying frequently leads to feelings of shame, isolation, and unworthiness. That is true whether in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.
  • Workplace conflicts: Difficult relationships with colleagues or supervisors, lack of workplace support, and experiences of discrimination or harassment can create a hostile environment that contributes to chronic stress and psychological problems.

7. Loneliness and social isolation

• • Lack of social support: A lack of meaningful relationships or social isolation is a strong predictor of depression.
    This can be due to the loss of friends or family members or because of a lack of close connections, leading to loneliness and emotional detachment.
  • Living alone: While some people (like me) enjoy living alone, others may find it isolating. Especially if they find their social connections outside the home lacking.
    Loneliness is a strong contributor to depression since human connection is a fundamental need. That’s why we need to make it a point to seek out like-minded individuals who care about us.
  • Aging and social isolation: Older adults are at higher risk for social isolation due to factors like retirement, the death of peers, and physical mobility limitations. All these factors can put a serious strain on our mental health and quality of life.

8. Failure and unfulfilled goals
   
   

• • Academic or career failures: People facing setbacks in their academic or professional pursuits can create self-doubt, feelings of inadequacy, and decreased self-worth.
    I would say that it’s more common when having invested a significant amount of time and effort, since we’re more likely to feel like we’ve given it our all.
  • Unrealized life expectations: People may develop a mental disorder when they feel like they haven’t achieved their expected milestones or goals. Common occasions include finding a life partner, starting a family, or achieving financial success.
    Societal and cultural pressure can amplify the feeling that we’ve failed.
  • Perfectionism and unrealistic standards: Even small perceived failures can have a severe emotional impact on individuals with high perfectionism.
    The constant pressure to meet unattainable standards can lead to chronic self-criticism, disappointment, and eventually depression if left unchecked.

9. Substance use and addiction

• • Alcohol and drug use: Substance use can both contribute to and result from depression.
    Alcohol and drug use can worsen depressive symptoms and disrupt cognitive and emotional functioning, creating a cycle where addiction and depression feed off each other.
  • Gambling or behavioral addictions: Behavioral addictions such as gambling can lead to financial ruin, relationship issues, and a strong sense of shame, all of which can trigger or worsen depression.
  • Medication-induced depression: Certain medications can lead to depressive symptoms as a side effect, especially if they alter mood or brain chemistry.
    Common medications include blood pressure, corticosteroids, and hormonal treatments.

10. Societal and environmental factors
    
    

• • Economic recession and unemployment: Societal issues like economic recession, rising unemployment, and inflation may create financial strain, uncertainty, and desperation.
    This frequently contributes to community-wide increases in depression rates.
  • Political instability and violence: Living in environments with high rates of violence, political unrest, or natural disasters can lead to persistent stress and trauma.
  • Climate change and environmental grief: The awareness of environmental degradation and climate change contributes to feelings of helplessness, grief, and existential dread in some people.
    This phenomenon is also known as “eco-anxiety” and is increasingly recognized as a contributor to depression.

Conclusion

Life events often trigger depression by overwhelming a person’s capacity to cope with the situation effectively.

This process usually involves an interaction between:

• Biological responses: Stressful events can cause neurobiological changes by affecting neurotransmitters that regulate mood, like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
  Long-term stress can also disrupt sleep, vitality, and mood by affecting cortisol levels.
• Cognitive and emotional patterns: Life events perceived as unfavorable regularly lead to negative thinking patterns, low self-esteem, and pessimism.
  This creates a cognitive loop that reinforces depressive thoughts and feelings.
• Behavioral changes: Psychological disorders often create behavioral changes such as social withdrawal, reduced activity, and neglect of self-care.
  These alterations in our actions can further reinforce feelings of sadness and isolation.
• Environmental reinforcers: Painful events like trauma, chronic stress, or lack of social support create environments that make recovery from depressive episodes more challenging.

It’s important to note that not everyone who experiences these life events will develop depression.

Yet, individuals with certain genetic predispositions, limited coping mechanisms, or past unresolved trauma may be more vulnerable to mental illnesses.

Recognizing how life events impact mental health can help us protect ourselves from adverse health effects caused by depression.