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> environmental factors

Actually being depressed can worsen environmental factors. Depression can make it hard (or impossible) to maintain work, relationships, hygiene, sleep, diet, and exercise. Losing the things can make the depression worse.

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Yeah I know - it's a vicious cycle. I meant in cases where the depression trigger was an event like a death in the family, but where the person managed to keep it together despite their depression. In those fortunate cases, the only problem that needs solving is the person being "stuck" on a trauma - not a self perpetuating cycle.

What you're describing sounds more like grief than depression. While the profound sadness that comes from loss can certainly manifest itself in ways that seem like depression, they are not the same thing.

Grief can certainly morph into depression.

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