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Depression
Overview
Depression can last
for weeks, months, or years. People with depression rarely recover without
treatment. The precise cause of depression is not known. Causes may
be mental, physical, or environmental, including:
- stressful life
events
- chronic stress
- low self-esteem
- imbalances in
brain chemicals and hormones
- lack of control
over circumstances (helplessness and hopelessness)
- negative thought
patterns and beliefs
There are many
risk factors that may increase your chances of having depression. Some
risk factors for depression are:
- chronic physical
or mental illness
- major life changes
or stressful life events
- post-partum
depression
- little or no
social support
- low self-esteem
- lack of personal
control over circumstances
- family history
of depression (parent or sibling)
- feelings of
helplessness
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