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Lisa Groesz, PhD
Psychologist
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Top Rated Answers
Depression is not always hereditary. But how you think is hereditary. so when facing similar situations as your parents, you may react similarly. so actually depression has got not much to do with heredity.
Anonymous
May 13th, 2015 5:40am
It can be. My best friend has a chemical imbalance in his brain that causes mild-severe depression. The males in his family all have the same problem. He actively does everything he can to work against it, and it works for him. He lives a normal life, even though he has to work hard at it.
Depression is in part determined by your genetics. It is believed that if your mother and/or father have a mood disorder (either major depression, or bipolar disorder) you will be more likely to go on to develop a mood disorder as well. Identical twin studies (these twins have the same genetics) suggests that the heritability of major depression is about 40%. However, there are many other factors that contribute to the development of depression including early life experiences and stresses, cognitive schemas (thinking style), support systems, and coping styles, as well as many others (an exhaustive list would be impossible)! If you are worried about developing depression, be sure to monitor your mood and discuss and concerning changes with a doctor!
It is, but it's never going to be guaranteed in the next generation, like most traits. It's generally perceived that approximately 40 percent of people with depression can trace it in some way genetically. However, it can also be learned or adopted in other ways.
Yes it is. Although, as many other hereditary conditions, it can be prevented and treated.
If your parents and your familiy have depression history, it is probable you could fall into depression later on your life. But it doesn't mean it is not managable.
The only thing it means is the risk you have could be higher. Nothing to worry about if you prevent :)
I do not believe that depression is hereditary.I feel that in order for someone to be and feel depressed, there should be true reasons and causes for that, rather just coming through genetics and heritance.
Anonymous
November 8th, 2016 9:33pm
The genetic influence is only partially responsible for causing depression. It doesn't mean that just because you inherit a gene you'll develop major depression.
No, it isn't. You can inherit a "predisposition", but not the depression itself. It means that you can be more likely to develop it if you pass through may sorrows and troubles, but you are not "condemned" by your genes :)
A family history of depression may increase the risk. It's thought that depression is a complex trait that may be inherited across generations.
Anonymous
July 24th, 2017 4:48am
While it is not the same as health issues that run in a family (such as a history of heart disease), depression can seeem to be more common in families with a history of depression. However depression can still affect anyone.
There are many causes of depression: environment, experiences, genes, etc. Depression can be hereditary. Those whose parents had or have depression increases the likely hood of the children also developing depression
No. Depression is fully dependent on your struggles in life- nobody else's. Even though there can be a family history of depression, it isn't fully dependent as to who has it. Personally, my sister does not suffer but I do.
I believe it is said that you can be predisposed to mental illness genetically, but depression is also affected by your environment (perhaps especially during childhood/early development).
Yes, depression can be hereditary, and if that is the case it's generally a little different as you generally have nothing to be depressed about.
Anonymous
June 25th, 2018 2:45am
There are genetic factors that play a role in your likelihood of getting depression. This does NOT mean you will be depressed if a family member is. You can also have depression even if no one else in your family does.
When talking to a doctor, therapist, psychiatrist etc, they will usually ask about your family history. This is why.
Anonymous
December 14th, 2020 11:22pm
It certainly can be, but there are so many other causes of depression - some of which we cannot fully understand. Let me tell you though, no matter the cause of your depression - it is not your fault. No one asks to become depressed, and it is a really painful and isolating experience. Whether it’s a chemical imbalance, a result of a traumatic event, something you’ve had since birth or a condition that has developed over-time... we are here to support you with your struggles. You’re more than welcome to reach out to a volunteer on here 24/7, and we will be there to listen to you.
Anonymous
January 3rd, 2022 8:01pm
Yes, from what I have read, as well as my own personal experience, there is a strong genetic component to depression. This does not mean that you will get depression for sure, but instead it means that you are more likely to have depression at some time in your life. For example, I have clinical depression, my father has depression, and my grandmother (his mother) does too. My depression started when I was a teenager. With medication, counseling, and lifestyle changes (getting enough sleep and exercise), I manage my depression very well. Sometimes it gets worse when I am in stressful situations.
Anonymous
February 26th, 2015 6:24am
Depression can be hereditary, but isn't strictly so. There have been studies that have found a correlation between individual suffering from depression and family history. In my case, my mom has a history of depression and I was told it' not very surprising that I fight my own battles with depression as well.
Many mental disorders can be hereditary, so yes. At times depression can rather be hereditary or one can become depressed due to things going on in their lives.
It might be, as a child might take on the appearance and mood of a parent that has been going through tough times, even if they don't fully understand the issues said parent has to deal with.
Anonymous
February 15th, 2016 4:21am
I think depression is more common than I'd originally expected it to be. The reason why it's common is because we're not taught to be happy because our parents weren't taught to be happy and so on.
Not necessarily, because it's a chemical imbalance that may or may not run in families. It can be caused by traumatic experiences or post partum so it can't be ruled out as only hereditary.
Anonymous
November 30th, 2015 2:54am
A research on the genetic causes of clinical depression has attempted to identify one or more specific genes that may lead to the development of a depressive illness.
But just because a person inherits a gene that predisposes him or her to a depressive illness, it does not mean that he or she is destined to develop major depression or bipolar disorder.
It is believed that a genetic influence is only partially responsible for causing depression. Other factors may also play a role.*
I would say no, but I'm no doctor. My parents both seem extremely happy and enjoy their lives, and when I ask them about if they've had similar experiences/feelings as I have, they often don't seem to understand. That being said, I think environment plays a HUGE role in how we feel. My dad has never been drunk and has never done drugs, both of which I did heavily. Those substances/experiences will change our emotions and characters. I believe nurture has a stronger bearing on who we are than nature does, but I also know that nature plays a definite role in who we are.
Depression that is associated with chemical imbalances can be hereditary because the chemical imbalances are a biological trait which can be passed generation to generation. If the family member suffered depression that was not chemically based, such as depression due to post traumatic stress, then it is unlikely that the depression is hereditary.
It can be,but it also can be an environmental factor, meaning the most calm person in the world the most confident person with no previous family members who suffer from depression could then go onto themselves if things go wrong and depress this person in life and that is natural sometimes people can naturally be depressed and have no cause as such, but also have family who suffer the same way.. So my answer would be yes, hope this helps xxx
Anonymous
July 7th, 2015 3:17pm
yes often it can be but not to say that just because you great grandmother had it you will
It can be hereditary, but usually takes a combination of factors for a person to develop depression.
A person might feel depressed for many reasons, and sometimes genetics plays a role. Having parents or other family members who are depressed can increase the likelihood that someone may become depressed. Stressful events, family conflict, big disappointments, or grief can all trigger depression. Relationships with people who criticize more than they show affection can lead to depression because they may teach a girl or guy to become self-critical and to feel inadequate, two feelings often associated with depression.
Anonymous
May 6th, 2015 2:29pm
Absolutely, but it doesn't necessarily mean biological inheritance. If your parents are depressed and untreated, they will pass their abuse and trauma down to you via inappropriate parenting, abuse, negative attitude, etc. If a person that is raised like this thinks, as I did, that they are a bad person because everyone hated them, then they have inherited the depression of their parents.
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