Do you think that anxiety and depression could be hereditary?

Question

Do you think that anxiety and depression could be hereditary?
Its seem like it. My dad used to suffer from depression I dont know about anxiety,and my uncle did too.Thats why I think my uncle became alcoholic,and committed suicide two years ago. Now I 21 and suffer from anxiety ,where I get get constant panic attacks and depression. My two brothers who are 16 and 23 do too. What is wrong with us if its hereditary.Is it chemical imbalance? Is it the way we were raised?When we were kids our parents used to be very strict and didnt let us go outside alot.But our older sister who is 25 right now doesn't have anxiety and depression. So why do I and my brothers have it?How can I get rid off it?Are meds gonna help?Therapy?Religion?Any suggestion will be helpful.

Answer 1

Yes. I think it's heredity. At least that's what I've read. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain. The hormone that is effected is seratonin. That's one of them. Chemical imbalances can cause an array of problems...melatonin disturbances (sleep disorders), etc. There are options to help, such as medication. You need to make an appointment with your doctor and discuss this with him/her. Once you get on a medication that helps, the world will become a much nicer place.

Answer 2

Certain types of depression are a result of brain chemistry and differ from, say situational depression (My dog just died). These are lifelong depressive disorders and are thought to be due to a chemical imbalance. This is often genetic and can be passed down. That your sister doesn't have it supports the genetic theory. It tends to be gender-related. Mothers can pass it on to daughters, fathers to sons. The males in an extended family may have it while the females do not. Understand? My guess is that your late uncle was your father's brother. Adverse life events can add to the depression. Anxiety can be another manifestation of depression.

Antidepressants can be a lifesaver for you and your brothers. SSRIs, a specific class of antidepressant, are very effective for your type of depression. Psychological counseling is the other half of treatment. Antidepressants and therapy work together. Start with a primary care doctor.

Answer 3

If it is depression because of a chemical imbalance, it can be hereditary. The tendency to become depressed can also be hereditary. However, we also acquire skills to handle our problems from our parents and other family members. If your family did not deal with things correctly, you would tend not to either.

There are some signs of depression in my family. Mine became very severe. After I started talking about it I found my sister had been struggling with it too, just not to the degree she could not function. We also suspect that my mother (who is gone now) had trouble with depression.

Yes you can be helped. It may take a combination of things. Medication helped me to be able to think clearly and get out of bed long enough to start to help myself. Exercise helps but it is not a good option for people who do not feel like doing anything. Once you start to feel better, exercise does help, a lot. I do belong to a church and that helps, especially if they have good groups who get together and talk.

I wish you good luck. I don't think any one thing helps everyone. Start with your primary care physician and then go from there. Therapy has helped many people. I am unable to afford therapy now and don't know if I will need it. I am improving daily. Many larger cities have groups who meet together and talk. This is a good way to get recommendations for doctors and therapists.

Answer 4

yes I do believe its hereditary. I think some of it is a learned behavior but Depression has been linked geneticly.

I have believed depending on the severity of depression a combination is drugs such as paxil, or prozac, zoloft should work in combination with therapy.

Depression can be caused caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain and those drugs can be taken to set your brains chemistry back to normal. The thereapy will help you cope and gain life skills that will help you deal with depression more effectively and may resolve issues that were causing the depression.

Also it is very important to exercsie every day for a minimum of 30 minutes. Pick something like Yoga, aerobic like elliptical, weights, running or walking. This will increase the amount of adrenaline and will aid to a speedy recovery.

Good luck and please dont hesitate finding treatment.

Answer 5

It has been proven quite a while ago that depression IS hereditary. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain, but the way you live also has an influence. Maybe your specific "depression-gene" is on the y-chromosome. Meds aren't gonna help by themselves, therapy/counselling is the best option, MAYBE combined with meds. Religion may help you if you are religious, but only if you are strong enough to NOT believe everything they say.

Answer 6

You might be too wrapped up in what has happened with your uncle. You need to realize he was an adult and made his own decisions. You need to get to a doctor. Start with your family doctor and get a physical to ensure that your panic attacks aren't some sort of allergic reaction. Then have him recommend a counselor or physiologist for you to see. Or maybe a family treatment so that you can take your younger brothers with you.

Depression and mental illness are hereditary to some extent I believe. But you have enough going for you that you see what is happening to you and you know that there is help out there so that you can stop the cycle for yourself and your younger brothers. Best of luck....

Answer 7

Yes, depression can be hereditary. My father suffered from it and now my sister and I do. Yes, meds do help, as does therapy. Find a community care place that provides therapy, and they can help you. Get meds, get therapy, and you will feel better. Chemical imbalances, as well as past experiences can contribute to depression. Meds will help the chemical issues, and therapy helps you deal with past experiences (how you were raised). Definitely get help though, considering you have a family history of depression and suicide. Don't put it off as long as I did, you don't have to feel miserable forever, get help ASAP.

Answer 8

Well my mom's side of the family has been known to have depression and other mental issues(my mom suffers from it and panic attacks) and from what I can tell I get the sensations for no reason. It all comes down to the person though and how they choose to deal with it. You control your mind not your genetics.

Answer 9

I believe 100% that it runs in families. I just have to look at my own family to see the thread. It is treatable with medications because the meds correct the chemical imbalance in your brain. Same as diabetes is corrected with insulin.

Answer 10

Yes it is hereditary, two brothers, two sisters, myself have suffered with it most of our lives. Only one sister is normal out of my siblings.