Depression

[Lynzh]

Is there anything proven that depression may be hereditary? My grandmother has been on anti depression pills for years on my fathers side and my mothers sister has suffered from manic depression since the birth of her last son. Im asking because the 6 months ive been feeling low, have anxiety problems, worry about everything, get stressed out easily. Not spoken to a dr yet.

[Lynzh]

Feel nervous going to the doctor for the first time tomorrow to discuss my depression and anxiety issues. Hope they can help

[nursegirl6572]

Unfortunately, due to the brain being very complex, there is not a lot about mental illness that is "proven"...other than the fact that it exists.

There are many theories that disorders like depression can carry a strong genetic component.  The most accepted belief is that a combination of factors leads to chronic depression....those can be the hereditary factor, general state of health, environmental factors, socioeconomic status, upbringing, past life events, coping skills, etc, just to name a few.

The important thing to remember is that seeking help is important if you suspect that you may be suffering from something like depression or anxiety.  With the exception of past traumatic events, or a connection to a medical condition or poor state of health, the "reason" becomes far less important than what a person does to address it.

Please feel free to post more info, we'll be glad to help you in any way we can.  Good luck.

[Lynzh]

Thank you for your reply.

[MYoungAtHeart]

Theory fills alot of pages in the Genetic Research Department...
I have found the following for your info.

Biology is not destiny: a child born of any parent (depressed or not depressed), has about a 16.5 percent (one in six) chance of experiencing a depressive episode during his or her lifetime. Depression is not a single phenomenon, which makes it all the more difficult to figure out the cause.

What’s clear is that for most people, depression appears to be more a result of environment and experience than of one’s inherent nature, which means that “upbringing,” to use an old-fashioned word, still matters. If you do things halfway right and there are no unforeseen traumatic occurrences, like crucial losses or undue stresses, chances are good — better than 50-50 — that the child of a depressed parent will grow up to be a nondepressed adult.

Whether a person seeks to blame genetics or not does not remove the depression if you suffer from it.  

Your Medical Professional can do a work up on you and then if it is
found that you indeed are depressed, you and your Doctor will work on a plan for your health and recovery...

Good luck to you

M