Depression – Causes

In the short-term, depression is triggered by extreme trauma, loss or bereavement. Chronic depression that can potentially span a lifetime is often rooted in a childhood trauma such as sexual or physical abuse, abandonment, family break-up, addiction, family violence, divorce, poverty or racism.

Some people are predisposed to the condition due to genetics (a family history) – a stressful event or trauma can then trigger the depression.

Once behaviours and learned beliefs are coupled with physiological problems they are set in stone and a person is caught in a vicious cycle of depression that can be difficult to break free from.

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