What are the risk factors for major depressive disorder/clinical depression?

These don’t guarantee someone will develop MDD, but they raise the chances, notably when several are present at once.

1. Biological and genetic factors

• • Family history of depression or other mood disorders

Your risk is 2–3 times higher if a close relative (parent or sibling) has MDD.

• • Neurochemical imbalances

Disruptions in serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine can affect mood regulation.

• • Chronic medical conditions

Illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s, cancer, or chronic pain can increase the hazard.

• • Female sex

Women are about twice as likely to develop MDD, partly due to hormonal fluctuations, especially during puberty, menstruation, postpartum, and menopause.

• • Sleep disturbances

Both insomnia and hypersomnia are associated with a higher risk of depression onset.

I started watching a lot of series and movies on my laptop in bed, combined with ruminating at night, which led to various sleep disturbances to the point where I couldn’t fall asleep and would wake up a lot during the night. That aggravated my mood issues after a while.

2. Psychological factors

• • Low self-esteem or negative self-perception
    
    

These cognitive patterns can both be a cause and a consequence.

• • Perfectionism and high self-criticism

Chronic pressure to meet high standards or fear of failure is linked to depressive thinking.

• • Early-life trauma or neglect

Abuse (emotional, physical, or sexual), neglect, or loss of a parent in childhood are strongly correlated with adult depression.

• • Attachment issues

Insecure attachment styles (especially anxious or avoidant) may predict vulnerability.

3. Environmental and social factors

• • Chronic stress

Financial problems, job insecurity, academic pressure, or poor relationships can contribute over time.

• • Social isolation or lack of support

A weak or absent social network heightens the danger and can worsen recovery.

• • Life transitions and major losses
    
    

Events like divorce, retirement, job loss, or bereavement are major triggers for first episodes.

• • Substance use

Alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs can both mask and fuel depressive symptoms.

4. Other contributing factors

• • Postpartum period

Hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and identity challenges after childbirth put new mothers at risk of postpartum depression, a subtype of MDD.

• • Inflammation and immune dysregulation

Emerging research associates systemic inflammation with depressive symptoms.

Elevated levels of cytokines (like IL-6 and CRP) have been found in people with MDD.

• • Personality traits

Traits like neuroticism (emotional instability), introversion, and low resilience are correlated with a higher risk.

My introversion combined with my perfectionism and self-critical nature makes me more prone to suffer from mood issues.

The risk is often cumulative.

No single factor causes MDD on its own because it’s usually a mix of biology, psychology, and environment.

For example, someone with a genetic predisposition and a history of childhood trauma may be extremely vulnerable during a stressful life event.

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