Major depressive disorder risk factors

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mitra Chitsazan, M.D.[2]

Risk factors for clinical depression include genetic, temperamental, environmental, and psychological factors. ^[1]

Risk factors for the development of major depressive disorder include: ^{[1] [2]}

• Genetic predisposition:
  • First-degree relatives of patients with major depressive symptoms have two- to four-fold higher risk of developing major depressive disorder than of the general population
• Personality trait (temperament):
  • Neuroticism (also known as Negative emotionality or Negative affectivity) is associated with an increased risk of developing major depressive disorder. Individuals with this personality trait are also more likely to experience depressive episodes in response to stressful life events.
• Environmental factors:
  • Adverse childhood experiences, in particular with multiple and diverse types
  • Stressful life events
• Course modifiers:
  • Major psychiatric disorders increase the risk of developing major depressive disorder. The most common causes include:
    • Substance user
    • Anxiety
    • Borderline personality disorder
  • Chronic or disabling medical conditions increase the risk of developing major depressive disorder. The most common causes include:
    • Diabetes
    • Morbid obesity
    • Cardiovascular diseases