Identification

Mood disorders, including major depressive disorder, panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, tend to run in families, meaning that they are easily passed down from parent to child.

Causes

Both depression and anxiety may be triggered by environmental factors. These could include a traumatic childhood experience, the death of a loved one, an accident or losing a job.

Types

The Madison Institute of Medicine reports sufferers of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) may also experience symptoms of depression and irritability due to an increase of hormone levels.

Prevention/Solution

The use of alcohol and drugs can be a vicious cycle for people experiencing anxiety. The American Journal of Psychiatry reports that people who suffer from social anxiety may drink more alcohol than those without anxiety. Self-medicating depression and or anxiety symptoms with drugs and alcohol may help the person feel better temporarily but will only make the problem worse in the long run. Symptoms of anxiety and depression may reappear tenfold when the substance abuse comes to a halt, and the sufferer must deal with their problems without the use of alcohol or drugs.

Theories/Speculation

Too much caffeine, smoking, a poor diet and lack of exercise, inadequate exposure to sunlight and certain medications have also been linked to depression and anxiety.

Source:

National Coalition for Health: Professional Education in Genetics: Empiric Risks

The American Journal of Psychiatry: The relation between alcohol problems and the anxiety disorders

Madison Institute of Medice: Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder