Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

depression

Hi
My mother is a known case of depression and i was wondering if depression could be inherited..i mean im a medical student i studied a psychiatric course and what i read from many lectures about depression is it says one of the etiology is genetic! so do i have higher risk for depression than someone whose mother is not depressed?
5 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
How do you know when you need help? After all, as you age, you may have to face problems that could cause anyone to feel depressed. Perhaps you are dealing with the death of a loved one or friend. Maybe you are having a tough time getting used to retirement, and you feel lonely. Possibly, you have a chronic illness. Or, you might feel like you have lost control over your life.

After a period of feeling sad, older people usually adjust and regain their emotional balance. But, if you are suffering from clinical depression and don't get help, your depression might last for weeks, months, or even years. Here is a list of the most common signs of depression. If you have several of these and they last for more than 2 weeks, see a doctor.
Uh...retire in their 20's?  Do you think all this can only happen in people 20 and younger??
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Read the second paragraph.  This is just one of many, and the Mayo Clinic is tops with mental issues.

Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staff

Although precise statistics aren't known, depression is considered relatively common. In any given year, about 12 million adults in the United States have depression. Depression cuts across all racial, ethnic and economic divides — no one is immune from the risk of getting depression.

Depression typically begins in the late 20s, but it can arise at any age, affecting everyone from young children to older adults. Twice as many women are diagnosed with depression as men, but this may be due in part because women are more likely to seek treatment for depression.

Although the precise cause of depression isn't known, researchers have identified certain factors that seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering depression, including:

Having other biological relatives with depression
Having family members who have taken their own life
Stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one
Having a depressed mood as a youngster
Illness, such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's or HIV/AIDS
Long-term use of certain medications, such as some drugs used to control high blood pressure, sleeping pills or, occasionally, birth control pills
Certain personality traits, such as having low self-esteem and being overly dependent, self-critical or pessimistic
Alcohol, nicotine and drug abuse
Having recently given birth
Being in a lower socioeconomic group
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
STATISTICS show that most people live very normal, happy lives while on medication for mental disorders!  Don't lump everyone in to one category, there are many types of mental disorders, and medications.  We're all dfferent, and for every one person not doing well on medication, there are a 1,000 who are!  I don't get my info from a cartoon fantasy world, I get it from facts and working for many years in the medical field!!!!!  Plus, everyone I know is doing very well on medication, not living in anger  like you!  You can see my "supirior" education,  it's SUPERIOR....flunk elementary spelling?  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Depression can hit at any age, and can be triggered by life changing events in your life. You do have an increased risk, but that doesn't mean it will happen.  Relax and enjoy your life knowing that depression is not the end of the world, and the majority of people who go on medication have very normal lives.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
A lot of study has been done on this and the data does support the fact that Major Depression and Bi-polar dissorder can be passed down the genetic ladder.

On the other hand lets talk about all the people that do have (for example) a bi-polar parent and never show signs of any mental illness.

I don't know exactly off the top of my head what the odds were, but they weren't as high as you might think for depression being passed down. (they weren't low, but not sky high either)

There is also all kinds of other theorys about this subject. Some would say this is not biologically inherited, but that Bi-polar parents are just not good parents and mess their kids up and that's why they also become Bi-polar. (I don't think thats the case, but I had once heard that idea brought up)

I happen to know some great parents that are Bi-polar and they work their butt off to take care of their kids.

If you are the child of a sufferer, I would try not to worry too much. I will guess that your already about 22 and in most (not all) cases if you were going to show signs of mental illness you probably would have by now.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Depression Community

Top Mood Disorders Answerers
Avatar universal
Arlington, VA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
15 signs that it’s more than just the blues
Discover the common symptoms of and treatment options for depression.
We've got five strategies to foster happiness in your everyday life.
Don’t let the winter chill send your smile into deep hibernation. Try these 10 mood-boosting tips to get your happy back
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.