Researchers have identified several genes involved in bipolar disorder, and they're looking for genes linked to other types of depression. But not everyone with a family history of depression develops the disorder. Stressful life events, particularly a loss or threatened loss of a loved one or a job, can trigger depression. Long-term use of certain medications, such as some drugs used to control high blood pressure, sleeping pills, or, occasionally, birth control pills, may cause symptoms of depression in some people. Having a chronic illness, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's disease, puts you at higher risk for developing depression.
Depression occurs in up to half of people who've had heart attacks.
Left untreated, depression may put you at a higher risk of death in the early years after a heart attack. Alcohol, nicotine and drug abuse. Experts once thought that people with depression used alcohol, nicotine and mood-altering drugs as a way to ease depression. But studies show that using these substances may actually contribute to depression and anxiety disorders. When worry overwhelms you Complications Depression is a serious illness that can take a terrible toll on individuals and families.