How can depression develop?
Are people to blame for having depression?
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.
General information for adults. Not medical or psychotherapeutic advice; not a substitute for examination, diagnosis or treatment.
Sources & editorial status
- WHO: Depressive disorder (depression) ↗
International overview. Used for the distinction from mood changes and contributing factors.
- German depression guideline: Background (in German) ↗
German clinical guideline, background and risk factors; population-level relationships do not determine an individual cause. Accessed: 29 October 2026.
- IQWiG · InformedHealth.org: Depression ↗
Plain-language overview. Used for terminology, symptoms and course.
- German National Clinical Practice Guideline · Chapter 2 ↗
German-language clinical guideline. Used for diagnostic assessment and the limitations of questionnaires.
Compiled from an existing article: 31 October 2026. Source comparison in the article: 29 October 2026. Prepared with AI assistance; independent medical review is pending. Editorial compilation; independent medical expert review has not taken place.
Editorial responsibility: Mario V.W.B.R. Obst. Known limitations and the use of each source are explained alongside the reference. A source-comparison date is not the publication date of the original source.