What causes depression?
Depression is rarely “caused” by one specific life event or stressor. More often, a combination of factors come together to cause a depressive episode. Events or situations that cause a depressive episode can seem very small to outside observers (e.g., one bad test or interaction with a friend). Depression doesn’t rely on anything ‘big’ happening to your child – it can happen to anyone and can seem to come on without any obvious trigger.
Biological factors
Biological factors include our genes. Depression is more likely when there is a history of it in the family.
Psychological factors
Psychological factors include how a person tends to respond to stress. Someone who experiences more negative emotions or thoughts in response to a stressor is more likely to experience depression.
Social factors
Social factors include various stressors in a child’s or teen’s environment, such as the loss of a parent or caregiver, divorce, bullying, poverty, difficulties at school and abuse or neglect.
How common is depression in children and teens?
Currently, about two percent of children and eight percent of teens in Canada experience depression.
Previous research suggested that people often experienced their first episode of depression in their mid-20s. However, more recent research suggests that most adults with depression actually experience their first symptoms of depression as children and teens.
Does depression occur with other conditions?
Depression commonly occurs with other conditions, including:
