Risk factors

Persistent depressive disorder often begins early — in childhood, the teen years or young adult life — and is chronic. Certain factors appear to increase the risk of developing or triggering persistent depressive disorder, including:

• Having a first-degree relative with major depressive disorder or other depressive disorders
• Traumatic or stressful life events, such as the loss of a loved one or financial problems
• Personality traits that include negativity, such as low self-esteem and being too dependent, self-critical or pessimistic
• History of other mental health disorders, such as a personality disorder