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 their youth are more susceptible to depression later in life. Grief and sadness are normal feelings of being human. However, feeling worthless or even suicidal thoughts due to big stresses can make a person develop serious symptoms of depression. The death of a family member or a friend can be enough to trigger depression in someone who already attains other risk factors of depression, most common being from genetics. The final risk factor for developing depression is drug abuse. There are prescription medications and specific illegal drugs that can cause depression symptoms to arise. It is very common for people to treat depression by self-medicating but that can easily lead to substance abuse and making depression worse. Research shows th