Depression run in Families

[CRSeaside]

Does depression run in families?
My father was an alcoholic. Was he self medicating for depression ?
In previous decades mental health or lack of, created real problems. Most people didn't want to admit it. There was more negative stigma attached to Mental Illness.
There were NO TV ADS, suggesting it was ok & to take a pill.
What do you think?          Pamela

[evewisewoman]

Hi there,
Your question is does depression run in families ? Yes, depression does
run in families or the tendency towards depression. You said your father
was an alcoholic. You ask whether your father was self medicating for
depression? It's possible your father was trying to cope with his depression
through alcohol. I've heard some people who are suffering from depression
turn to alcohol to cope. That's the worst thing they could do as alcoholism
is an illness too so this just compounds the problem. You said in previous
decades, mental health created real problems. I totally agree. In previous
decades, if you suffered from depression, you were placed in horrible
institutions. People in those times knew nothing about depression so there
were was no medication and barbaric brain procedures were preformed
by people calling themselves doctors.  Although people are gradually
being more informed about mental illness through tv ads, Bell Let's Talk
day, it was on Feb 28th actually, many people who suffer from depression
suffer in silence even today. There is still a negative stigma attached to
mental illness.  This is why people who are suffering with a mental illness
like depression, being bipolar, borderline personalities etc. are very
selective in the people they share this with because when they do share
that they may have one of these conditions, people look at them differently
like they are mentally challenged have a mental illness etc. What's needed
is more education about mental illness, for example, what depression is,
possible symptoms or characteristics of depression.  Some people are
suffering from depression and because they don't know what the symptoms
of depression are, they don't know they are depressed and yes, this happens.  Take for example, suicides among young teenagers and young
people who are suffering from depression. The statistics of teenagers and young people in their early twenties committing suicide in Canada are horrifying.  . I taught for 30 years in the primary grades.  I've recently heard that many of the high schools in the school board where I taught is now
teaching high school students more about depression and how to recognize the signs of depression and what to do if they're suffering from
depression.  High school teachers are being in serviced about the topic
of depression and the symptoms of depression and I'm hoping they're
being given suggestions on how to best support one or more of their
students suffering from depression. Education is what is needed and open
discussion about depression, how to spot the signs of depression and most
importantly how to support someone going through depression.
For some people, depression does run in their family or the tendency
towards depression. People need to learn that depression is an illness
just like asthma, heart disease etc.  Depression and the tendency towards
depression runs in my family, I know what I'm talking about. But it's not
just about taking an antidepressant or as my doctor tells me, the pill is
not a magic pill. There's a lot more to handling one's depression than
just taking antidepressant medication, but finding the right medication
that agrees with you is a tremendous help. Like anything else, knowledge
is power, power to change things and the first step is education and
getting the subject of depression out in the open where it can be better
understood and the people coping with depression the much needed
support and understanding they so desperately need. I wish you well.  Eve

[Bubulous]

Hey bud,
I would say in a lot of people's cases it is hereditary.  My mom is bipolar so is my brother.
I don't really have much experience with alcoholism because that was not my drug of choice but it is a way of coping and definitely could be a way of coping with depression which stinks because alcohol is a depressant.  I have heard a lot of songs and seen a lot of movies labeling those of us with mental illness as being crazy or violent.  I was just in treatment with a guy named Nick and the conversation came up about me being bipolar.  He was interested in knowing more so I told him that there were two main types.  I said type two is depressed a lot of the time with times of elevated mood.  I then said then there are type ones and before I could say anything else he said "you mean the mean kind".  I was speechless but I began to tell him that we are not all alike just like people without mental illnesses.  I doubt I changed his perception but I hope that as he got to know me he say at least one who cares and loves like anyone else :)