Who is most at risk for developing depression?

Who is most at risk for developing depression?

Christopher Reist (Academic Psychiatrist, Co-Author of “Psychiatry”) gives expert video advice on: How do I know if I need treatment for depression?; What are common treatments for depression?; Can I prevent my sadness from developing into depression? and more...

People most at risk from developing depression are people who have had a prior depression episode. We find that with each successive episode of depression the likelihood of a future episode increases. If a person has had two episodes of depression, it's almost guaranteed that they'll develop another one at some point in their life. If you have a positive family history with regards to depression, substance abuse or other mood disorders, your risk is increased. People who are experiencing severe stress for example, from a traumatic event or loss of a spouse or loved one are also at risk from depression. There are certain medical conditions such as heart attacks, strokes and chronic pain that also increases an individualss risk for developing depression. Also, the risk of developing depression is twice as high in women as it is in men.