Depression is a mood disorder that affects millions of people across the United States. It is more than a bout of the blues, it is a disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in once enjoyable activities. Depression affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, which can lead to a number of physical and emotional problems. Depression requires treatment, such as medication and psychotherapy.

If you or a close relative is showing signs of depression such as lack of sleep, a decrease in their appetite, and a change in their normal behavior, it is important to contact a professional right away. While the exact causes of depression are unknown, there are certain risk factors that may be involved, including the following:

1. Death or loss
The death or loss of a family member or close friend can easily cause someone to slip into depression. The overwhelming feeling of sadness and worthlessness can start to take over the body and mind rather quickly. By seeking out help for clinical depression, you can avoid suffering longer than necessary.

2. Abuse
Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of depression and the number of victims continues to increase daily. When someone is a victim of abuse, they tend to shelter themselves from family, refuse to take part in a conversation, and will exhibit changes in their ambition and motivation towards their everyday activities.

3. Chronic pain
Chronic pain can easily cause depression and it puts a lot of stress on the body and mind from being in constant pain around the clock. When this occurs, it is important to seek out help with depression treatments to help avoid it lasting for long periods of time. Pain is something we cannot always get away from, so seeking help for depression caused by pain can be very beneficial.

4. Life changes
Life changes such as moving into a different home or going through a divorce can cause someone to become depressed. If you are going through a major life change and start to experience symptoms like helplessness and worthlessness, it is critical to seek out treatment before your symptoms start to worsen.

5. Family history
If your family has a history of depression or bipolar depression, undergoing an evaluation can be beneficial to your overall well-being. Sometimes we are unaware of our family history and our relatives that also suffer from the same disorder. Looking into the history of your family’s mental illnesses may potentially help you and find out which treatments worked well for them to reduce the symptoms.