Is depression hereditary?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Is Depression Hereditary

Answer 3

Grundle probably knows what she's talking about, she's very smart (for a girl, lol) I don't know if it's physically hereditary because my family was all dead by the time I was 8 so I have no way of checking it out. Back then you were just moody, not depressed. But I will say that parents (step-parents in my case) can have a huge influence on your self-esteem, that's sometimes very tough to get out from under. In my case it too the Epiphany that they were even more screwed up than I was. And you can get it from your kids! If they tend to get into trouble a lot you start blaming yourself for not raising them right. If you find yourself fighting bouts of depression, a good councilor or shrink can help you find the roots of your problem. It might not even be experiential depression, it could be a chemical imbalance in the brain that keeps it from producing the serotonin needed to keep you balanced. There are 'anti-depressants' that are available that can fix that. The problem is it takes a few weeks for the stuff to actually work and it may take a few different meds to find the one that works for you. (I speak from experience)

Answer 4

In many cases it is. Yet another alteration in DNA. Looking at your relatives will give you a good sense. In fact, one of the main components of a psychiatric evaluation is finding out your family history. What others have written here is largely true. Even if you inhereted the gene/s making you predisposed to depression (biology), severe stress is usually needed to put the illness into motion (environment). If you grew up in a dysfunctional home (i.e. abuse, addictions) or you suffered major losses, etc., it may be the trigger for mental illness to show itself. It is important to distinuish between depression as feeling 'blue', or 'down in the dumps', and 'clinical depression', which is true depression. If your mood has deteriorated and you feel sad a lot, or not yourself, you've noticed changes to your sleep, energy, appetite, sex drive . . . and it has lasted more than 2 weeks, it's probably clinical depression. Treatment should commence ASAP to minimize the damage to your life, and to reduce the risk of suffering recurrences down the road (kindling effect: a pathway to depression becomes ingrained in your neural pathways in your brain).

Answer 5

It seems that the tendency for depression can be inherited often from father to son or mother to daughter. It may have something to do with same sex brain chemistry. Situational depression, however, cannot be inherited.

Answer 6

Apparently if its in your family there is a greater risk of getting it too. It dosent mean you will though, and it can be helped with various treatments (drugs are`nt the only option).

Answer 7

totaly, most people in my familly have mild or severe deppression so I have one too. i've been moody even when i was 4 but now I'm like upset all the time and it's hard to hide from my friends especially when they saw the scars on wrist.

Answer 8

Depression in and of itself IS NOT, however there are clear indications that bi-polar disease and some chemical imbalances of the brain are.

http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9050538/bipolar-disorder

Answer 9

Yes.

Answer 10

well sorta , a person can have a higher proclivity, but genetics are not the only factor.