this isnt an ignorant question-i have a lot of depressives in my family and was wondering if there was a genetic link
2006-10-21 11:56:58 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Hey! We could be related!!
Definitely. Mood disorders run in families.
Most theorists agree on dyathesis/stress model of mental illnesses. THis theory says that a genetic predisposition PLUS a certain amount of stress (diiferent for each person) results in the family illness. Learn good ways to cope with stress.
Learn the early symptoms of bipolar disorder and depression and hope that you haven't inherited it.
If you have, it is okay. It doesn't mean you have a weak character or are a negative thinker. It's just a brain chemical thing. Find which medication works for you and have a happy life!
When I was young, they didn't have yahoo answers. So I had to get an educaton in psychology to figure all this out.
2006-10-21 12:11:12 · answer #1 · answered by allkell 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As far as I'm aware,there's some evidence of a percentage of the population being genetically pre-disposed to depressive illness,especially bi-polar types.
2006-10-21 12:11:15 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not something I think anyone should romanticise , however creative the mania stage(I'm not saying you are btw!) I think it was on that Stephen Fry programme that most sufferers declared they wouldn't ever want to be cured because they know what it is to 'walk with angels' referring to the hyper phase. I'm sure all would say different if asked when the pits of despair, or indeed the relatives of those left behind if it resulted in suicide. Anyway - to answer your Q - Nina Simone. edit -Which is why I said the bit in brackets!!!! It's an undeniable fact that there are positives(usually creative) to the condition, your Q is valid..I just didn't feel comfy to not say what I did before answering. It seems to be the new desirable diagnosis if British 'slebs' are anything to go by and it bothers me. Seriously I didn't mean to sound snotty at you.
2016-05-22 08:25:34 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely, we now know that depressives and bipolars have not just one specific gene but a number of genes that predispose to mood disorder. The higher the number of these predisposing genes someone has the more likely they are to develop a mood disorder. The theory is that these genes are related to the parts of the brain that regulate emotion. Those with bipolar are therefore less able to control their emotions and impulses than others. In future you may be able to take a blood test that would then tell you your risk of developing a mood disorder but at present all we can say is that there is definitely a hereditary element.
2006-10-21 12:03:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm curious about this myself. A while back I had reactive depression, which, as obvious as it sounds, is depression based upon circumstance.
Someone I know once suffered the odd, illogical kind of depression you're talking about, and someone else I know is going through it right now (although this particular person isn't articulate enough to explain it for me, frustratingly). Both had/have nothing to be depressed about as such, they just were/are.
I am a logical person. Everything has to make sense to me. And this doesn't. So if anyone can explain more, please do.
2006-10-21 12:00:40 · answer #5 · answered by Joker 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont know but would be interesting to find out as my mum suffered from depression when alive and now I think I do too.
Maybe we all could be diagnosed as suffering some kind of depression but some of us are better at finding ways to cope?
2006-10-21 12:21:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think its a balance between environmental factors that act as triggers like grief and adolescents but there is also the gentic factor ,but sad is very common in families and thats effected by poor light .In the summer the mood id fine and in the winter depression sets in.
2006-10-21 12:06:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, there might be, since most of these condiions are caused by certain chemical imbalances in the brain.
those imbalances could be inherited.
if ur very worried, go to a psychologist and run some tests.
2006-10-21 12:00:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if it is proven to be genetic, but my family is the same way so I guess there must be something in it.
2006-10-21 11:59:55 · answer #9 · answered by Daisy Artichoke 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
...they say there is a genetic link but there are also environmental factors that can trigger depression too
2006-10-21 13:32:56 · answer #10 · answered by mørbidsшεεŧnεss 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋