Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Does “Trigger” Mean?TriggersStressful Events and LossHormonal ChangesOther Conditions or IllnessesSeasonal ChangesSubstance UseLack of Quality SleepLifestyle HabitsMedicationsStopping TreatmentPreventionWhen to See a ProviderNext in Depression GuideHow Depression Is Diagnosed

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Table of Contents

What Does “Trigger” Mean?

Triggers

Stressful Events and Loss

Hormonal Changes

Other Conditions or Illnesses

Seasonal Changes

Substance Use

Lack of Quality Sleep

Lifestyle Habits

Medications

Stopping Treatment

Prevention

When to See a Provider

Next in Depression Guide

About one in six people willexperience depressionat some point in their lifetime.Some people experience depression all the time. However, specific factors, including stress, lack of sleep, or seasonal changes, can also trigger depression episodes.

This article explains the common triggers for depression. You’ll also learn what to do if you are experiencing a depression episode.

Martin Dimitrov / Getty Images

A young woman has a sad face as she sits looking out her window, holding a glass of red wine.

What Is MDD?There are several types of depression, but this article refers specifically tomajor depressive disorder (MDD). MDD is episodic, meaning it can come and go.Some people have only one MDD episode. The risk of recurrence is about 60% after one episode, 70% with two episodes, and about 90% after three or more episodes.

What Is MDD?

There are several types of depression, but this article refers specifically tomajor depressive disorder (MDD). MDD is episodic, meaning it can come and go.Some people have only one MDD episode. The risk of recurrence is about 60% after one episode, 70% with two episodes, and about 90% after three or more episodes.

There are several types of depression, but this article refers specifically tomajor depressive disorder (MDD). MDD is episodic, meaning it can come and go.

Some people have only one MDD episode. The risk of recurrence is about 60% after one episode, 70% with two episodes, and about 90% after three or more episodes.

Depression Coping Skills: Steps to Managing Symptoms

The term “trigger” is often used to describe the cause of deep sadness, anxiety, or other feelings, often in people living withposttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, triggers can also cue symptoms in other mental health conditions, including depression.

A trigger could be a smell, sound, or sight. A location or the anniversary of a traumatic event can also be a trigger.

How Signs of Depression Feel and Look

Triggers For Depression

Anything can be a trigger for depression, but some factors are more commonly associated with depressive episodes than others.

What Does Depression Feel Like?

The death of a loved one or other major life events that are experienced as a loss can trigger a depression episode.

It is normal and expected to feel sadness and grief after these events. Some people may even feel like they are depressed. However, sadness and grief alone do not indicateclinicaldepression. These feelings can come before or develop into depression. It is also possible to experience both grief and major depression at the same time.

Some differences between grief and depression include:

GriefPainful feelings come in waves and may be intermixed with positive feelings.Self-esteem is not typically negatively influenced.If thoughts of death occur, they are usually about “joining” the lost loved one.DepressionThe low mood and lost interest in activities occur most of the time for at least two weeks.Feelings of worthlessness or self-loathing are common.Thoughts of death and suicide focus on feeling worthless or unable to cope with the pain.

GriefPainful feelings come in waves and may be intermixed with positive feelings.Self-esteem is not typically negatively influenced.If thoughts of death occur, they are usually about “joining” the lost loved one.

Painful feelings come in waves and may be intermixed with positive feelings.

Self-esteem is not typically negatively influenced.

If thoughts of death occur, they are usually about “joining” the lost loved one.

DepressionThe low mood and lost interest in activities occur most of the time for at least two weeks.Feelings of worthlessness or self-loathing are common.Thoughts of death and suicide focus on feeling worthless or unable to cope with the pain.

The low mood and lost interest in activities occur most of the time for at least two weeks.

Feelings of worthlessness or self-loathing are common.

Thoughts of death and suicide focus on feeling worthless or unable to cope with the pain.

Stressful events not related to loss can also be triggers for depression. Both positive and negative life changes can be triggers, including:

What Is Unipolar Depression?

Puberty, pregnancy, andmenopausecause significant changes in the body and are typically life-changing events. The hormonal changes and the mental stress from these changes can trigger depression in some people.

Postpartum depression(PPD) is a major depressive disorder following the birth of a child. Typically, it occurs in the person who gives birth. There is limited research on how it affects their partners, but a 2019 study suggested that birth cantrigger depressionin about 10% of male partners.

Obesity and Depression: Is There a Connection?

Stress from any condition or illness can trigger depression, but some have been specifically studied as being associated with depression.

Thyroid

While thyroid disease (even mild) can trigger symptoms of depression, these symptoms often improve once the underlying problem with the thyroid is treated.

However, it’s also possible for people to have depression and thyroid disease, and both conditions must be adequately treated. For example, a person may need thyroid medication and an antidepressant to control their symptoms.

Heart Disease

Can You Get Depressed After Surgery?

Other Health Conditions

Other medical conditions that have been associated with mood disorders like depression include:

Are There Stages of Depression?

When episodes of depression occur with the change of seasons, it is calledseasonal affective disorder (SAD). The formal diagnosis is “major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern.” SAD affects about 5% of adults in the United States.

SAD symptoms most often get worse in the fall and winter months, when there are fewer daylight hours and less sunlight. However, some people have symptoms of SAD in the summer. SAD episodes typically last about 40% of the year.

What Is Spring Depression?

A 2017 systematic review showed that baseline depression or anxiety was associated with later smoking behavior, such as starting to smoke or increasing the amount of smoking.Baseline smoking exposure was associated with later depression or anxiety.

It’s unclear if people who are depressed smoke to self-medicate, if smokers are more prone to developing depression, or a combination of both.

Alcohol use can also make depression symptoms worse. According to the National Alliance on Mental Health, people with substance use disorder are at a much higher risk of having a major depressive episode.

What Is Atypical Depression?

Depression and sleep problems often influence each other. Poor sleep can contribute to depression, and depression can interfere with sleep. Since they are interconnected, it’s not always possible to know which one came first.

Sometimes, the sleep problems start before an episode of depression comes on. It’s also common for people with depression to go back and forth between not being able to sleep and sleeping too much during a depressive episode.

What Is Situational Depression?

What you eat and how often you exercise can also affect depression symptoms.

Diet

A review of research suggests that somefoods may reduce the risk of depressionwhile others might increase the risk.

According to the research, dietary habits that could be linked to a lower risk of depression include the following:

On the other hand, a higher risk for depression was linked to:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/8-foods-that-help-regulate-mood-5095875

Exercise

While not getting enough physical activity can contribute to mental health symptoms, a 2020 review showed that exercise can be an effective treatment for some adults with major depression.

While the study was interesting, the results were far from conclusive. More research is needed to determine if the benefits continue over time.

Did Exercising Less During COVID Cause Depression?

Symptoms of depression can be a side effect of some medications, such as:

Talk to your healthcare provider about any medications you are taking. Be sure to include over-the-counter (OTC) products, supplements, vitamins, as well as herbal medicines.

Can Birth Control Cause Depression?

If and when to stop treatment for depression can be a difficult decision.

A 2020 study of 201 people with major depressive disorder found that one-third to half of the participants had a recurrence of depression within one year of stopping treatment.

Another study found that stopping antidepressant treatment during remission led to a recurrence in 40% to 50% of the participants. Maintaining treatment for six to 12 months after remission lowered the risk to 13%–20%.

Other research found similar evidence that supported extended antidepressant treatment for up to 12 months after remission of an acute depressive episode. These findings suggest the possible use of long-term antidepressant treatment as a way to lower the risk of further depression episodes.

Study: There’s No Perfect Way to Wean Yourself off of Antidepressants

Can Depression Triggers Be Prevented?

Depression triggers cannot always be prevented, but there are ways to lower the risk:

Different Ways to Deal With Depression

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Whether you have had depression before or you think you’re having an episode for the first time, it’s important to reach out for help. Talk to a healthcare provider or mental health professional if you have symptoms of depression for most of the day, every day, for at least two weeks.

Help Is AvailableIf you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911. For more mental health resources, see theNational Helpline Database.

Help Is Available

If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911. For more mental health resources, see theNational Helpline Database.

What Types of Therapy Are Helpful for Depression?

Summary

Major depressive disorder tends to be experienced in episodes. Certain things, like losing a loved one, seasonal changes, and medication, can trigger an episode of depression.

Some health conditions, like thyroid problems, can cause depression symptoms. However, they will get better once the underlying condition is managed. It’s also possible to have depression and another condition, like a sleep disorder. In this case, you may find that one condition can make the other worse—for example, not sleeping well may trigger depression symptoms.

Depression triggers cannot always be predicted or prevented. However, once you learn what yours are, you can work on trying to avoid or manage them.

What to Know About Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)

25 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?Lye MS, Tey YY, Tor YS, et al.Predictors of recurrence of major depressive disorder.PLOS ONE.2020;15(3):e0230363.University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Understanding mental health triggers.Klyce DW, Bombardier CH, Davis TJ, et al.Distinguishing grief from depression during acute recovery from spinal cord injury.Arch Phys Med Rehab. 2015;96(8):1419-1425. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2015.02.018National Health Service.Depression in adults.Mind UK.Depression.Scarff JR.Postpartum depression in men.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):11-14.Hage MP, Azar ST.The link between thyroid function and depression.J Thyroid Res. 2012;2012:590648.Nuguru SP, Rachakonda S, Sripathi S, Khan MI, Patel N, Meda RT.Hypothyroidism and depression: A narrative review.Cureus. 2022;14(8):e28201. Published 2022 Aug 20. doi:10.7759/cureus.28201American Heart Association.How does depression affect the heart?Harvard Health.What causes depression?National Health Service.Causes - Depression in adults.American Psychiatric Association.Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).Fluharty M, Taylor AE, Grabski M, Munafò MR.The association of cigarette smoking with depression and anxiety: a systematic review. Nicotine Tob Res. 2017;19(1):3-13.Smokefree.gov.Smoking & depression.National Alliance on Mental Health.Depression.Fang H, Tu S, Sheng J, Shao A.Depression in sleep disturbance: A review on a bidirectional relationship, mechanisms and treatment. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. 2019;23(4):2324-2332.Dong L, Xie Y, Zou X.Association between sleep duration and depression in US adults: A cross-sectional study.J Affect Disord. 2022;296:183-188. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.075Ljungberg T, Bondza E, Lethin C.Evidence of the importance of dietary habits regarding depressive symptoms and depression.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2020;17(5):1616.Belvederi Murri M, Ekkekakis P, Magagnoli M, et al.Physical exercise in major depression: reducing the mortality gap while improving clinical outcomes.Front Psychiatry.2019;0.MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).Nuggerud-Galeas S, Sáez-Benito Suescun L, Berenguer Torrijo N, et al.Analysis of depressive episodes, their recurrence and pharmacologic treatment in primary care patients: A retrospective descriptive study.PLoS One.2020;15(5):e0233454.Sim K, Lau WK, Sim J, Sum MY, Baldessarini RJ.Prevention of relapse and recurrence in adults with major depressive disorder: systematic review and meta-analyses of controlled trials.Int J Neuropsychopharmacol.2015;19(2):pyv076.Zhao Y, Liu Y, Sahakian BJ, et al.The brain structure, immunometabolic and genetic mechanisms underlying the association between lifestyle and depression.Nature Mental Health. 2023;1(10):736-750. doi:10.1038/s44220-023-00120-1National Health Service.Symptoms - depression in adults.

25 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?Lye MS, Tey YY, Tor YS, et al.Predictors of recurrence of major depressive disorder.PLOS ONE.2020;15(3):e0230363.University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Understanding mental health triggers.Klyce DW, Bombardier CH, Davis TJ, et al.Distinguishing grief from depression during acute recovery from spinal cord injury.Arch Phys Med Rehab. 2015;96(8):1419-1425. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2015.02.018National Health Service.Depression in adults.Mind UK.Depression.Scarff JR.Postpartum depression in men.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):11-14.Hage MP, Azar ST.The link between thyroid function and depression.J Thyroid Res. 2012;2012:590648.Nuguru SP, Rachakonda S, Sripathi S, Khan MI, Patel N, Meda RT.Hypothyroidism and depression: A narrative review.Cureus. 2022;14(8):e28201. Published 2022 Aug 20. doi:10.7759/cureus.28201American Heart Association.How does depression affect the heart?Harvard Health.What causes depression?National Health Service.Causes - Depression in adults.American Psychiatric Association.Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).Fluharty M, Taylor AE, Grabski M, Munafò MR.The association of cigarette smoking with depression and anxiety: a systematic review. Nicotine Tob Res. 2017;19(1):3-13.Smokefree.gov.Smoking & depression.National Alliance on Mental Health.Depression.Fang H, Tu S, Sheng J, Shao A.Depression in sleep disturbance: A review on a bidirectional relationship, mechanisms and treatment. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. 2019;23(4):2324-2332.Dong L, Xie Y, Zou X.Association between sleep duration and depression in US adults: A cross-sectional study.J Affect Disord. 2022;296:183-188. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.075Ljungberg T, Bondza E, Lethin C.Evidence of the importance of dietary habits regarding depressive symptoms and depression.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2020;17(5):1616.Belvederi Murri M, Ekkekakis P, Magagnoli M, et al.Physical exercise in major depression: reducing the mortality gap while improving clinical outcomes.Front Psychiatry.2019;0.MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).Nuggerud-Galeas S, Sáez-Benito Suescun L, Berenguer Torrijo N, et al.Analysis of depressive episodes, their recurrence and pharmacologic treatment in primary care patients: A retrospective descriptive study.PLoS One.2020;15(5):e0233454.Sim K, Lau WK, Sim J, Sum MY, Baldessarini RJ.Prevention of relapse and recurrence in adults with major depressive disorder: systematic review and meta-analyses of controlled trials.Int J Neuropsychopharmacol.2015;19(2):pyv076.Zhao Y, Liu Y, Sahakian BJ, et al.The brain structure, immunometabolic and genetic mechanisms underlying the association between lifestyle and depression.Nature Mental Health. 2023;1(10):736-750. doi:10.1038/s44220-023-00120-1National Health Service.Symptoms - depression in adults.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?Lye MS, Tey YY, Tor YS, et al.Predictors of recurrence of major depressive disorder.PLOS ONE.2020;15(3):e0230363.University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Understanding mental health triggers.Klyce DW, Bombardier CH, Davis TJ, et al.Distinguishing grief from depression during acute recovery from spinal cord injury.Arch Phys Med Rehab. 2015;96(8):1419-1425. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2015.02.018National Health Service.Depression in adults.Mind UK.Depression.Scarff JR.Postpartum depression in men.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):11-14.Hage MP, Azar ST.The link between thyroid function and depression.J Thyroid Res. 2012;2012:590648.Nuguru SP, Rachakonda S, Sripathi S, Khan MI, Patel N, Meda RT.Hypothyroidism and depression: A narrative review.Cureus. 2022;14(8):e28201. Published 2022 Aug 20. doi:10.7759/cureus.28201American Heart Association.How does depression affect the heart?Harvard Health.What causes depression?National Health Service.Causes - Depression in adults.American Psychiatric Association.Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).Fluharty M, Taylor AE, Grabski M, Munafò MR.The association of cigarette smoking with depression and anxiety: a systematic review. Nicotine Tob Res. 2017;19(1):3-13.Smokefree.gov.Smoking & depression.National Alliance on Mental Health.Depression.Fang H, Tu S, Sheng J, Shao A.Depression in sleep disturbance: A review on a bidirectional relationship, mechanisms and treatment. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. 2019;23(4):2324-2332.Dong L, Xie Y, Zou X.Association between sleep duration and depression in US adults: A cross-sectional study.J Affect Disord. 2022;296:183-188. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.075Ljungberg T, Bondza E, Lethin C.Evidence of the importance of dietary habits regarding depressive symptoms and depression.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2020;17(5):1616.Belvederi Murri M, Ekkekakis P, Magagnoli M, et al.Physical exercise in major depression: reducing the mortality gap while improving clinical outcomes.Front Psychiatry.2019;0.MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).Nuggerud-Galeas S, Sáez-Benito Suescun L, Berenguer Torrijo N, et al.Analysis of depressive episodes, their recurrence and pharmacologic treatment in primary care patients: A retrospective descriptive study.PLoS One.2020;15(5):e0233454.Sim K, Lau WK, Sim J, Sum MY, Baldessarini RJ.Prevention of relapse and recurrence in adults with major depressive disorder: systematic review and meta-analyses of controlled trials.Int J Neuropsychopharmacol.2015;19(2):pyv076.Zhao Y, Liu Y, Sahakian BJ, et al.The brain structure, immunometabolic and genetic mechanisms underlying the association between lifestyle and depression.Nature Mental Health. 2023;1(10):736-750. doi:10.1038/s44220-023-00120-1National Health Service.Symptoms - depression in adults.

American Psychiatric Association.What is depression?

Lye MS, Tey YY, Tor YS, et al.Predictors of recurrence of major depressive disorder.PLOS ONE.2020;15(3):e0230363.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Understanding mental health triggers.

Klyce DW, Bombardier CH, Davis TJ, et al.Distinguishing grief from depression during acute recovery from spinal cord injury.Arch Phys Med Rehab. 2015;96(8):1419-1425. doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2015.02.018

National Health Service.Depression in adults.

Mind UK.Depression.

Scarff JR.Postpartum depression in men.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2019;16(5-6):11-14.

Hage MP, Azar ST.The link between thyroid function and depression.J Thyroid Res. 2012;2012:590648.

Nuguru SP, Rachakonda S, Sripathi S, Khan MI, Patel N, Meda RT.Hypothyroidism and depression: A narrative review.Cureus. 2022;14(8):e28201. Published 2022 Aug 20. doi:10.7759/cureus.28201

American Heart Association.How does depression affect the heart?

Harvard Health.What causes depression?

National Health Service.Causes - Depression in adults.

American Psychiatric Association.Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Fluharty M, Taylor AE, Grabski M, Munafò MR.The association of cigarette smoking with depression and anxiety: a systematic review. Nicotine Tob Res. 2017;19(1):3-13.

Smokefree.gov.Smoking & depression.

National Alliance on Mental Health.Depression.

Fang H, Tu S, Sheng J, Shao A.Depression in sleep disturbance: A review on a bidirectional relationship, mechanisms and treatment. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine. 2019;23(4):2324-2332.

Dong L, Xie Y, Zou X.Association between sleep duration and depression in US adults: A cross-sectional study.J Affect Disord. 2022;296:183-188. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2021.09.075

Ljungberg T, Bondza E, Lethin C.Evidence of the importance of dietary habits regarding depressive symptoms and depression.Int J Environ Res Public Health.2020;17(5):1616.

Belvederi Murri M, Ekkekakis P, Magagnoli M, et al.Physical exercise in major depression: reducing the mortality gap while improving clinical outcomes.Front Psychiatry.2019;0.

MedlinePlus.Estrogen and progestin (oral contraceptives).

Nuggerud-Galeas S, Sáez-Benito Suescun L, Berenguer Torrijo N, et al.Analysis of depressive episodes, their recurrence and pharmacologic treatment in primary care patients: A retrospective descriptive study.PLoS One.2020;15(5):e0233454.

Sim K, Lau WK, Sim J, Sum MY, Baldessarini RJ.Prevention of relapse and recurrence in adults with major depressive disorder: systematic review and meta-analyses of controlled trials.Int J Neuropsychopharmacol.2015;19(2):pyv076.

Zhao Y, Liu Y, Sahakian BJ, et al.The brain structure, immunometabolic and genetic mechanisms underlying the association between lifestyle and depression.Nature Mental Health. 2023;1(10):736-750. doi:10.1038/s44220-023-00120-1

National Health Service.Symptoms - depression in adults.

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