Depression - who is at risk?

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While anyone can become depressed, some people are at greater risk. Women are twice as likely to become depressed as men, though they are only slightly more likely to develop bipolar disorder, once known as manic depression. (Before puberty, boys and girls have about equal likelihood of developing depression.)

If you have a relative who has depression or bipolar disorder you are more likely to be depressed. Alcohol and drug abuse increase the risk of depression, as do chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or cancer. Having a previous episode of depression greatly increases your risk, as does chronic stress or loss.

In some cases, people feel depressed because they have a disease or are taking a medicine that causes depression. As many as 25 percent of people who have a chronic serious illness, such as diabetes, will develop depression.

Diseases that can cause depression:

Drugs that can cause depression: (generic names are listed)