Why is This Happening to Me?

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If you have depression, anxiety, or both, a lot of people feel like they’re the only ones who are struggling with such pain – but you’re not alone. Depression and anxiety are among the most common health conditions, period. Yet, it’s natural to wonder, "why me?"

There are a lot of things that can contribute to depression and anxiety, and we don’t understand all the reasons. But we do know that the following factors play a role:

Childhood:

The environment you grew up in has a major impact on how you view yourself and the world around you. While traumatic events like abuse, violence, or death losses certainly can have a negative impact, it’s not always trauma that is at work.

Sometimes it’s feeling completely alone, ignored, or neglected as a child that can cause us to think that we’re somehow flawed, defective, or incapable of being loved that lead us to grow up hating ourselves and fearing the world around us.

Major Life Changes:

We all go through major changes throughout life where we need to adjust to new roles and situations. These changes, sometimes even when they’re positive, can bring about depression and anxiety. Such changes can include:

• Job loss
• Relationships break-up
• Becoming a parent
• Injury or illness
• Death of someone close to you (even a pet)
• Moving to a new neighbourhood

Other Life Stresses:

Life throws up all sorts of stresses that can lead to depression and anxiety, such as:

• Arguments with your friends
• Money problems
• Relationship problems
• Problems performing in bed
• Problems at work
• Bullying and harassment