CharityVillage® Research: Knowing your risk

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Knowing your risk
By Kristin Duare McKinnon, HBSW, MSW
October 6, 2008

Last month we looked at the warning signs of depression. This month we look at why some of us are more at risk for depression than others.
Depression has many causes, not all of which are known or understood. We do know, however, that certain factors make some of us more vulnerable to depression than others. You may be more likely to become depressed if:

You have been depressed in the past. Each time that you experience depression, you are at a higher risk to become depressed again.

You are alone or isolated, with nobody to turn to for support in times of stress. Having family or friends isn't enough; they have to be available and they have to be able to support you in a positive way.

You have lost your social support network - for example, if you have moved to a town where you don't know anyone or the person you most confided in has moved or passed away.

You have been through a traumatic life event, such as the loss of a loved one.

You have been experiencing significant, ongoing stress. You don't have to go through a major trauma to become depressed. Stress over a long period of time or stress coming from many different sources (for example, in relationships, with finances, at work) can be just as detrimental to your mental health.

You have a family history of depression or related illnesses, such as bipolar, anxiety or panic disorders. A family history of alcohol and drug abuse is a risk factor for depression as well. Addiction often hides the symptoms - and numbs the pain - of depression.

You experienced early childhood neglect, abuse or trauma, particularly child sexual abuse.

You are unemployed or are unhappy or unchallenged in your work.

You live with other chronic health problems and/or pain.

You are recovering from a major injury, surgery or other physical trauma.

You are taking medications or street drugs that can cause or contribute to depression. Some drugs - legal and not - can increase your risk of depression, as can the interactions between drugs. Be as informed as possible about what you are taking.

You are female. On average, teenage girls and women are twice as likely as men to become depressed (see the section below, Some thoughts on women, men and depression).

You are over 65. Those who are older are more vulnerable to depression, possibly because they are more likely to experience other risk factors (health problems, traumatic losses, social isolation, etc.).

You are a perfectionist, very achievement-oriented, shy or overly-sensitive.

Some thoughts on women, men and depression
Women are much more likely to be diagnosed with depression than men. This difference in diagnosis has been attributed in part to the fact that:

Women have more hormonal issues (and therefore potential problems) with which they must cope.

Women often experience more stress at home (multi-tasking, balancing work and home, balancing child rearing and elderly parents, etc.).

It is important to keep in mind, however, that just because more women are diagnosed with depression doesn't mean that women are more depressed than men. There could be other factors at play:

Women are socialized to be in tune with their feelings, whereas men are socialized to be just the opposite. Women might be more likely, then, to realize that something is wrong [and ask for help] when depression lurks, while men may slough if off and decide that they just need to "pick themselves up by their bootstraps".

Studies show that women are more likely than men to seek help from the medical profession, which means that women are more likely to be diagnosed, period.

Studies also show that doctors - and not just the male doctors - are more likely to attribute female problems to emotional issues and male problems to physical illness, meaning that a man and women could go into the doctor with the same symptoms and be diagnosed with two totally different problems.

Finally, the symptoms of depression are predominantly based on experience with women, because women are more often diagnosed with the illness. It is very likely the men's symptoms of depression could be quite different than women's, making the illness all the more difficult to diagnose for them. For example, studies show that men are much more likely to turn to alcohol to cope with depression than women - and addiction makes the diagnosis of depression all the more difficult.

Kristin writes for Community Living Kawartha Lakes. For more of her articles, visit the Community Living website at www.communitylivingkl.ca. Please read her disclaimer.