Depression Risk Factors: The Relationship Between Neuroticism And Depression

Neuroticism is a personality trait that may predispose some people to certain mental health conditions like depression. While characteristics like neuroticism tend to be relatively stable and unchanging throughout a person’s life, it is possible to develop healthy coping strategies that may help in managing them, and treatment for depression is also available. Let’s explore exactly what neuroticism is, its suggested links to depression, and the available mental health treatment options.

Neuroticism: One of the Big Five personality traits

Neuroticism is one of five key traits included in the five-factor model of personality, which was first developed in the 1980s and is still used by psychologists today. When taken together, these five personality traits are intended to account for key differences in the way different individuals think, feel, and behave. 

These personality traits exist on a continuum from high to low, with most people having a stable level of each trait throughout their lives. The five trait categories are:

1. Agreeableness (friendly/compassionate vs. critical/rational: This trait accounts for things like empathy, social harmony, trustworthiness, and altruistic behaviors. 
2. Extraversion (outgoing/energetic vs. solitary/reserved): This trait is a measure of comfort in social environments. People who have a high degree of extraversion are typically more outgoing and comfortable in social settings than those who score low in extraversion.
3. Conscientiousness (efficient/organized vs. extravagant/careless): This trait refers to things like impulse control, organization, work ethic, and goal-orientation. 
4. Openness (inventive/curious vs. consistent/cautious): This trait describes curiosity, creativity, and imagination. Individuals who score high in openness tend to enjoy abstract thinking and intellectual challenges. 
5. Neuroticism (sensitive/nervous vs. resilient/confident): This trait is a measure of emotional stability. People who score high in neuroticism are more likely to experience irritability, strong stress responses, and overall low mood, particularly if these tendencies are not well-managed. 

Neuroticism in particular is viewed as an indicator of emotional stability and stress reactivity. Overall, people with lower trait neuroticism tend to have more stable moods and are less reactive to stress, while those with higher trait neuroticism tend to exhibit emotional instability and more difficulty coping with stressors. 

Here are other characteristics that tend to be common among individuals with high neuroticism: 

• Self-consciousness
• Higher anxiety levels
• Irritability
• Poor responses to stress
• Easily overwhelmed
• Easily frustrated
• General emotional instability 

Although personality traits tend to remain relatively fixed throughout life, a person can indeed learn strategies and build skills that may help them manage some of the potential negative effects of such traits. All personality types have both positive aspects and areas for improvement, and it’s generally possible for anyone to learn techniques that may help them have greater control over their moods and behaviors.

What is depression?

Mood disorders are a class of mental illnesses that include conditions like major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, postpartum depression, and bipolar disorder. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common and what people usually mean when they refer to “depression” generally.

The following is a list of common symptoms of major depression, though individual symptoms may vary:  

• Persistent feelings of emptiness, sadness, hopelessness, or helplessness
• Irritability, especially over small things
• Little interest in activities previously enjoyed
• Sleep changes, such as sleeping too much or too little
• Low energy, lethargy, or restlessness
• Significant changes in diet or appetite
• Difficulty making decisions and concentrating on tasks 
• Negative internal dialogue, guilt, and/or self-blame
• Unexplained headaches, gastrointestinal distress, or low back pain
• Risk-taking behaviors 
• Self-harm
• Suicidal ideation

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or behaviors, seek help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached 24/7 by dialing 988.

If you believe you may have a depressive disorder or are experiencing symptoms of another mental health condition, it’s generally recommended that you seek the support of a professional like a therapist or psychiatrist as soon as possible. Symptoms of depression typically don’t go away without treatment, and effective treatments for depression are available.

Neuroticism and mental health: Links to depression

Neuroticism is a personality trait rather than a psychiatric disorder itself, but it can predispose people to anxiety and depressive symptoms. For example, some research has suggested that high scores for neuroticism may make a young person more likely to experience a psychotic episode, while high levels of extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness seem to have a negative correlation with psychosis. 

Trait neuroticism also seems to have a correlation with depression. Research suggests that high levels of neuroticism may be a significant risk factor for clinical depression. This correlation is likely because neuroticism is associated with increased mood fluctuations and difficulties related to emotional regulation. While these qualities don’t inherently equate to a depression diagnosis, depression is a mood disorder that may manifest in these ways. That’s why those with high neuroticism may be at greater risk for MDD, especially if they haven’t found healthy ways to manage these traits.

Other depression risk factors

Having trait neuroticism doesn’t necessarily mean a person will develop depression, but it could increase the chances. It’s also important to note that neuroticism is far from the only factor that could potentially increase a person’s risk of developing a mood disorder like depression. Some other risk factors include but are not limited to:

• Sleep disorders. It’s estimated that individuals with insomnia have a tenfold greater risk of developing depression than people with higher sleep quality. 
• Chronic stress. Prolonged stress that isn’t healthily managed may increase the risk of depression as well as the risk of anxiety, physical health problems, sleep problems, and cognitive impairment.  
• Traumatic experiences. Past experiences of childhood trauma can increase the risk of depressive disorders, with one study indicating that 75.6% of participants with chronic depression reported experiencing trauma in childhood. 
• Chronic pain.Chronic physical pain can impact sleep quality, increase stress levels, and reduce self-esteem, all of which may increase the risk of depression. 
• Low socioeconomic status (SES). SES is a measure of income level, educational attainment, financial security, and social status. Research suggests that individuals with lower SES are more likely to experience depression than those with higher SES. 
• Substance use. As the National Institutes of Health reports, substance misuse in particular appears to have a strong correlation with depression for three reasons. These are that, according to research, substance use disorders and depression share some other risk factors, mental illness may increase the likelihood of substance use, and substance use may increase the likelihood of developing a mental illness.
• Race or ethnicity. The stress of the lived experience of racism and other systemic factors that people of minority populations are commonly exposed to may place them at a higher risk of depression. For example, one study reports that African Americans and Latinx people are at an increased risk of developing MDD.
• Gender and sexuality. Those who identify as women are around twice as likely as men to receive a depression diagnosis, which may be due to the added stressors of their lived experiences and their greater likelihood of seeking mental health care. Additionally, for people who identify as LGBTQIA+, the risk of depression is higher than amongst cisgender and heterosexual people, likely also due to matters of discrimination in lived experience.

The SAMHSA National Helpline for support with substance misuse is available 24/7 and can be reached by calling (800) 662-4357.

Treatment for depression

Again, it’s recommended that you seek the support of a licensed mental health professional if you’re experiencing symptoms of depression or another mental health condition. The recommended treatment for depressive disorders is typically some form of therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), sometimes in combination with medication. Certain lifestyle changes such as exercising regularly and practicing mindfulness may also be recommended.

CBT in particular can be helpful for those with trait neuroticism whether they have been diagnosed with depression or not, because its aim is to help an individual learn to recognize and challenge distorted thought patterns. Over time, these strategies can help a person with neurotic traits and/or depression become better able to self-soothe and manage their moods.

Tips for seeking support through therapy

Virtually anyone may benefit from seeking the support of a therapist, whether they’re looking to address the effects of personality traits like neuroticism or symptoms of a mental illness like depression. For best results, finding a therapist with whom you can feel comfortable is usually key. Remember that it’s okay to try a few providers before you decide to move forward with one. It can also be helpful to go into therapy with an open mind and a willingness to be vulnerable in order to get the most from your sessions.

Some people find it difficult to open up to a provider in person, which is where virtual therapy options can represent a more comfortable alternative. With a platform like BetterHelp, for instance, you can get matched with a licensed therapist and meet with them via phone, video call, and/or in-app messaging from the comfort of home. That means you can control your own environment and engage in therapy on your own terms. Research suggests that online CBT may be even more effective at reducing symptoms of depression than in-person treatment, so you can generally feel confident in the care you may receive in either format.

Takeaway

Neuroticism is a personality trait that is characterized by emotional instability, irritability, and an overall tendency to experience negative moods. While neuroticism is not a mental illness itself, it can be a risk factor for depression. Other risk factors such as trauma, gender, and sleep quality can impact the likelihood of developing a depressive disorder, too. Engaging in cognitive behavioral therapy with the support of a licensed therapist is typically recommended for those experiencing mental health symptoms or challenges.