Causes

NHS

There's no single cause of depression. It can occur for a variety of reasons and it has many different triggers. For some people, an upsetting or stressful life event, such as bereavement, divorce, illness, redundancy and job or money worries, can be the cause.

Different causes can often combine to trigger depression. For example, you may feel low after being ill and then experience a traumatic event, such as a bereavement, which brings on depression.

People often talk about a "downward spiral" of events that leads to depression. For example, if your relationship with your partner breaks down, you're likely to feel low, you may stop seeing friends and family and you may start drinking more. All of this can make you feel worse and trigger depression.

Some studies have also suggested that you're more likely to get depression as you get older, and that it's more common in people who live in difficult social and economic circumstances.

Stressful events

Most people take time to come to terms with stressful events, such as bereavement or a relationship breakdown. When these stressful events occur, your risk of becoming depressed is increased if you stop seeing your friends and family and try to deal with your problems on your own.

Personality

You may be more vulnerable to depression if you have certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem or being overly self-critical. This may be because of the genes you've inherited from your parents, your early life experiences, or both.

Family history

If someone in your family has had depression in the past, such as a parent or sister or brother, it's more likely that you'll also develop it.

Giving birth

Some women are particularly vulnerable to depression after pregnancy. The hormonal and physical changes, as well as the added responsibility of a new life, can lead to postnatal depression.

Loneliness

Feelings of loneliness, caused by things such as becoming cut off from your family and friends can increase your risk of depression.

Alcohol and drugs

When life is getting them down, some people try to cope by drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs. This can result in a spiral of depression. Cannabis can help you relax, but there's evidence that it can also bring on depression, particularly in teenagers.

"Drowning your sorrows" with a drink is also not recommended. Alcohol affects the chemistry of the brain, which increases the risk of depression.

Illness

You may have a higher risk of depression if you have a longstanding or life-threatening illness, such as coronary heart disease or cancer. Head injuries are also an often under-recognised cause of depression. A severe head injury can trigger mood swings and emotional problems.

Some people may have an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) resulting from problems with their immune system. In rarer cases, a minor head injury can damage the pituitary gland, which is a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain that produces thyroid-stimulating hormones.

Useful resources

Informing Choices NI are currently supported by the Public Health Agency to undertake a...
This programme is a six week training programme for groups of adults and focuses on...
A healthy diet and regular physical activity may help you manage the effects of prostate...
Move for Men is your new monthly fitness and wellbeing membership, designed to help you...
This includes: Raising awareness of depression and Aware NI services at a wide range of...
As part of this community, you can talk about whatever you want, from diagnosis to...
We rely on our incredible volunteers to help us spread the word about prostate cancer,...
Cancer Focus NI can provide a wide range of presentations to meet the needs of your...
The important thing to remember when you’re affected by prostate disease is that you’re...
Call us for free, unbiased, confidential support and information. There's no such thing...
Cancer Focus NI, Keeping Well vans are mobile drop-in units which bring health checks,...
We have a team of trained volunteers throughout the UK who carry out talks to groups both...
Each month we run an online support group for men on active surveillance - a form of...
Prostate Cancer UK have a team of trained volunteers throughout the UK who carry out...
Fatigue support is a telephone programme which includes 4 appointments with a Specialist...
There are hundreds of prostate cancer support groups in the UK. We have details of many...
There are a number of health campaigns throughout the year to raise awareness of...
Living with prostate cancer can be hard to deal with emotionally, as well as physically...
We all have good and bad days but what and when we eat can influence our mood, energy,...
‘Engage’ training is a comprehensive one day programme which seeks to address the current...
There is an increasing number of organisations / practitioners who are keen to involve...
Food diary, exercise tracker and diet coach
Learn to manage negative thoughts and look at problems differently
Handle stress and anxiety on the go
It’s an easy to follow programme known the world over, and perfect for those new to...
Active 10 is a free and easy to use walking app that tracks your walking and shows you...
Guided meditations
Guided meditations
Your Mind Plan offers practical ideas and advice to help you boost and maintain your mental wellbeing. Answer the quick 5-question quiz and the Every Mind Matters widget will give you 5 tailored actions to help you feel more in control, improve your sleep, deal with stress and anxiety, and boost your mood – as well as the option to easily swap any actions and to save the whole plan via email.
Prostate Cancer UK launched a campaign to encourage men at higher risk of prostate cancer...