suffer from a different combination of factors that contribute to developing depression. Continuing difficulties that can result in depression include long-term unemployment, enduring an abusive or uncaring relationship, long periods of loneliness, and prolonged stress due to work. These difficulties are more likely to cause an individual to suffer from depression than recent life events. With that being said, it is possible for recent events to trigger the development of depression if it runs in your family or have a history of bad experiences with depression. There are common risk factors for developing depression that can make an individual more susceptible to depression, including genetics, hormones, stress, pain and illness, sexuality, childhood trauma, loss of a family member, and drug abuse. The biggest and most common risk for depression is genetics, or family history. Relatives with a history of depression, alcoholism, suicide, or bipolar disorder are conditions that can be passed down from generation to generation. However, having a parent that suffers from depression does not mean you will have a similar experience with depression. The second common risk for depression is hormones because there are certain changes that can happen to a females hormonal balance that can result in a women becoming depressed. For example, women endure significant hormonal changes during pregnancy as well as after childbirth. This type of depression is known as Postpartum Depression and can only affect women. Another risk for depression development is stress. When a body experiences stress and has its cortisol levels rise, there is a probability for the transmission of serotonin to be negatively affected. This process can result in depression. Getting married, losing a job, and studying for a final exam are all different types of major life events that can create stress. Just like bad events, good events can also result in stress. Pain and illness are associated to depression in similar way hormones can in regards to biochemical changes. An illness itself can create biochemical changes that can lead to depression symptoms. Additionally, people suffering from an illness can become depressed about their health as they endure pain, loss of bodily functions and even if they face the chance of dying due to their illness. Cancer, heart diseases, and strokes are illustrations of chronic illnesses. There are loads of stress and worry associated with coping with an illness, especially if there is long-term management or chronic pain that come with the illness. In regards to sexuality, individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual mean they have a diversity of genital organs that are not distinctly male or female. It is common for people who struggle with their sexual identity to have unsupportive friends and family, which ultimately leads to depression. Early trauma and abuse is unfortunately another common risk for depression. People that endured any past physical, emotional, or sexual abuse during