If you have low self-esteem, are pessimistic by nature, and are easily overwhelmed by stress, you are a candidate for depression. An ended relationship, financial setbacks, or a difficult relationship or situation can trigger a depression. Often, an event seems to start off a depression, such as a serious loss, chronic illness, problems with a relationship or divorce, financial problems, or a disruption in your life due to circumstances beyond your control.

People who get depressed are not sociopaths or psychotics. You get depressed because you are very concerned about your behavior or what you think are your wrong doings. When you get depressed you tend to be thinking of many things you should have done, could have done, or might have done. True evil people do not get depressed because they have no concern about how they may have hurt others.

Over the past twenty years it has been accepted that depression is a result of a chemical imbalance in your brain. It is not your fault. Your brain simply isn't sending the right signals and your body gets confused. The messenger isn't getting the message to the right place. This has a lot to do with why you have sleep problems with depression. Certain illnesses can have a very big effect on the brain workings and the same is true as to medications people must take for illnesses. There is a article to follow on illness and depression.

If you tend to be a lonely person with low self-esteem, feel you have little control over your life, and worry excessively; you are more likely to develop depression. Because you already are feeling like you are just struggling to get along, if some big disappointment or crisis comes along, you will have a more strong reaction to it and perhaps start to fall apart inside.

It is true that negative thinking usually develops in your childhood or adolescence. If you feel a lack of being approved and praised as a child, if you feel you never got a chance to be special in some way, you are more likely to be rocked out of your socks when the big trials of life smack you in the head.

Learn about depression in teens and pregnancy depression at the Depression Facts Online site.