There is no single cause of depression. Triggers for clinical depression vary from person to person and contributing factors include:
- Children of depressed parents have an increased risk of becoming depressed themselves. Scientists believe there is a genetic link.
- Stressful life events can happen before the first episode of depression and again when depression reoccurs. This is especially seen in adolescent girls.
- Young people who have lower levels of belief in their own competence to succeed.
- Sleep problems
- Young people with physical ill health
- Young people who have previously been diagnosed with anxiety, OCD, PTSD. Trauma is linked to depression in young people.
- Some medications
- Substance Use (Alcohol and other drugs)