General information for adults. Not medical or psychotherapeutic advice; not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment.
Which influences can interact?
WHO describes an interaction of social, psychological and biological factors. The German guideline also considers several levels of explanation. One trigger does not automatically explain the entire condition. [1][2]
What role can difficult experiences play?
Loss, persistent strain and other difficult circumstances can be associated with increased risk. This does not mean everyone under strain develops depression, or that a person must be able to identify an obvious trigger. [1][3]
What does predisposition mean?
Depression occurring more often within a family can indicate a hereditary contribution. It does not make the condition inevitable. Such risks are considered alongside other influences. [3][2]
What are explanatory models for?
Models organise possible connections, for example between stressful experiences and individual vulnerability. They support understanding, but cannot retrospectively prove why one particular person developed depression. [2]
Why is a question about causes not a question of blame?
A risk factor does not establish personal failure. Our approach is to explain connections without assigning blanket responsibility for an illness to a person or those around them.
What belongs in an individual consultation?
Health history, other conditions, medicines and life circumstances can matter in assessment. This article cannot determine their relevance to an individual person. [4]
READ FURTHER & CHECK THE SOURCES
Sources and context
How should I interpret these sources?
Source notes identify the provider, their use in this article and known limitations. The source-comparison date below is not the original publication date. No update date is assumed where none is available. General findings cannot automatically be applied to an individual; independent medical review of this draft is pending.
- WHO: Depressive disorder (depression) ↗
Provider / domain: www.who.int
International overview. Used for the distinction from mood changes and contributing factors.
- German depression guideline: Background (in German) ↗
Provider / domain: www.leitlinien.de
German clinical guideline, background and risk factors; population-level relationships do not determine an individual cause. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
- IQWiG · InformedHealth.org: Depression ↗
Provider / domain: www.informedhealth.org
Plain-language overview. Used for terminology, symptoms and course.
- German National Clinical Practice Guideline · Chapter 2 ↗
Provider / domain: www.leitlinien.de
German-language clinical guideline. Used for diagnostic assessment and the limitations of questionnaires.
Research and source comparison: 29 October 2026. Prepared with AI assistance. Editorial responsibility: Mario V.W.B.R. Obst. Independent medical expert review is pending. Independent medical expert review has not taken place.