The Epidemic of Depression We need to change the nature of work, community and wealth distribution. By Michael Bader / AlterNet February 23, 2018, 2:27 PM GMT What causes depression and anxiety? I have been a practicing psychologist and psychoanalyst for almost 40 years and have seen hundreds of patients suffering from both. In my experience, some factors are obvious. People who suffer from depression and anxiety have experienced stresses and traumas in their development that predispose them to mood disorders.