A brief summary of a current topic of medical interest to missionaries. The same can happen today, even to men and women who have been called to serve God. Depression and stress-related disorders are the third most common reason for missionaries having to return home early. There are a number of subtypes of mood disorders, but the more pervasive and severe type is known as major depressive disorder .
Causes of depression are usually multiple.
Biological factors may also play a significant role, in two separate ways. A study of who gets depression finds that it can effect anyone, at almost any age. Women are twice as likely to have the illness of depression, and the highest incidence is in the 25-44 year old age group.