Is Depression Herediatary?

[Lynn 007]

Hello everyone

I would love to hear from anyone who can comment on my situation.

I called my sister for her birthday over the weekend and received some shocking news. She mentioned that ALL of my siblings (6 of them) all suffer from depression and have for years. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I knew about one of my siblings battling depression years ago but I find it really odd that all of them do.

She asked me if I have ever been diagnosed and I said no, never diagnosed but I don't think I am - for me it was never a question. I don't really know a lot about the disease but I look forward to everyday. Like most people I have my good days and bad days but my good days far outweight my bad days. I mentioned to my sister that I did experience depression for three days around the time I turned 27 (over 10 years ago) but I've never had anything since then. During those three days, I felt as if I had a grey cloud over my head and nothing would shake it. I didn't find anything remotely funny, everything appeared to be covered in a grey film and I felt a numbness inside. It was a very strange feeling but after the third day it was gone and it never returned - I have never had that feeling again.

I'm wondering does depression start at a certain age? Can it strike at anytime? Is anyone familar with this disease? How can I help my siblings? I've always been a very positive person but does a depressed person resent that not everyone around them is depressed?

She sent me a few links to read up on, which I am in the process of doing but any feedback you have is appreciated.

Thanks

[Zulu]

Hi Lynn,

I'm a medical student with a fair bit of interest in depression.

Certainly there is a genetic predisposition towards depression (as well as anxiety) that runs in families.

It's important to remember that depression, as with most chronic illnesses, is multifactorial. That means it's never just your genes. Heart disease has strong heriditary factors but modifying your lifestyle can hugely diminue your chances of ever having heart problems.

You shouldn't feel powerless because you're predisposed to something, you have tremendous control over your own life.

[bylto]

I don't think it is. Genes are surely passed on but genes don't switch themselves on and off. This is decided by perception. Watch this brilliant video on the matter, it's called 'The New Biology' and is in two parts.

i think you'll feel liberated from hereditary trap.

[bellbird]

Dear Lynn
I agree with the other posters that it does not have to be hereditary. I had depression for 4 years at least, of which 2 years quite bad, starting when I was 17. It does run in my family but not everyone is 'affected' and when they are it's in different varieties. My brother had it for about a year when he was 24. My mother has had it about 3 times in her life. After a lot of searching she's found out she is lacking a chemical in her brain and that makes her feel depressed. Fortunately I haven't that problem so much allthough I watch what I eat to make sure my sugarlevel stays balanced, which in turn effects my serotonin levels etc which effect how one feels. There are several family members on my fathers side who have had either depression or anxieties. Anyway, long story short: don't feel bad because you don't (feel bad)! that would be ridiculous. Rejoice in your life and bless you

[Lynn 007]

Thanks to all of you for your comments and feedback. It is a pretty interesting disease, considering the amount of people affected by it.

One thing that I have noticed the past few days that seperates me from my sibilings is regular exercise. They're not big fans of it. As kids we were all very active but I seem to be the only one that has made it part of my adult life. I tend to walk everywhere (even got rid of my car), participate in running clinics, scuba diving, whitewater rafting - I'm currently talking boxing classes which is a great workout. I'm not sure what medical studies show but that is one thing that is different.

Thanks again and Happy St. Patricks Day to anyone celebrating this weekend.

Cheers
Lynn

[da1prophet]

It's important to distinguish the physiological causes of depression with environmental factors. Based on everything I've read there's definitely a genetic predisposition toward the chemical imbalances that cause depression. Whether or not that means that everyone in that gene pool will suffer from it isn't as clear.

[Lola]

Originally Posted by Lynn 007

One thing that I have noticed the past few days that seperates me from my sibilings is regular exercise. They're not big fans of it.

I've had a bout or two with depression...

The vicious cycle you get into here is - yes, exercise is greatly beneficial in treating depression. But the manifestations of the disease - aches and pains, inertia, disinterest, negativity, etc - keep you from being able to do it. Or giving much of a s**t.

I'm wondering does depression start at a certain age? Can it strike at anytime? Is anyone familar with this disease? How can I help my siblings? I've always been a very positive person but does a depressed person resent that not everyone around them is depressed?

It can strike at any age. Sadly, many more adolescents are having to cope with it these days. How you can help is somewhat dependent on the relationship you have with your siblings. Firm compassion and encouragement is good - if they will accept that. Avoid pity, enabling or belittling. If you live nearby, make yourself available to spend time with them - get them out to do something fun, commit to walking or other physical activity with them regularly, get involved in creative pursuits, etc. And, sorry I can't cite a reference here, but I've read (and I've experienced it) that helping others is a mood booster. It gets you out of your own head for a bit. You might consider encouraging them to volunteer for a worthy cause - something they care about.

Are they receiving any treatment? Meds? Therapy? I think both are essential in treating clinical depression. Meds for the short term to level you out, talk therapy for the long-term to get well.

And, speaking for myself, I didn't resent happy people, I just thought they weren't smart enough to know how horrible everything really was.

Best wishes -

[joelyle]

a helpful definition of depression I have heard recently:

....anger turned inward.

I don't believe it is hereditiary. It is learned by example.

[da1prophet]

Originally Posted by joelyle

a helpful definition of depression I have heard recently:

....anger turned inward.

I don't believe it is hereditiary. It is learned by example.

So you watch "The Sopranos" too

It may have its origin elsewhere, but the first time I heard that description of depression was from Dr. Jennifer Melfi when she explained it to Tony...

Whether its from a legit source or just a good line its a very profound description of depression...

[da1prophet]

Originally Posted by joelyle

a helpful definition of depression I have heard recently:

....anger turned inward.

I don't believe it is hereditiary. It is learned by example.

I didn't believe it was hereditary either until I went to a psychiatrist and he asked me to fill out a form which included the mental health background of my immediate and extended family. When I needed a second page for this--just from the relatives I know--I started to think there might be something to the hereditary aspect...

[joelyle]

Thanks for your feedback.
Isn't it possible depression is environmental (being subject to depressed family members) vs. genetic? I see depression as a result of reality being out of line with expectations; I have decreased my level of depression without therapy and medication. I believe this was a choice on my part (did not want, of course, to pass this to my daughters).

Originally Posted by da1prophet

I didn't believe it was hereditary either until I went to a psychiatrist and he asked me to fill out a form which included the mental health background of my immediate and extended family. When I needed a second page for this--just from the relatives I know--I started to think there might be something to the hereditary aspect...

[da1prophet]

Originally Posted by joelyle

Thanks for your feedback.
Isn't it possible depression is environmental (being subject to depressed family members) vs. genetic? I see depression as a result of reality being out of line with expectations; I have decreased my level of depression without therapy and medication. I believe this was a choice on my part (did not want, of course, to pass this to my daughters).

Yeah, the environmental component definitely has something to do with it. Still, I'm thinking there has to be some sort of genetic trait--in my family, its so widespread on both sides its not even funny. Of course there's similar environmental origins....

It's definitely to your credit that you've been able to deal with it without resorting to medication and/or therapy. I've been on an antidepressant for years now and really most of the improvement I've made had a lot more to do with more proactive changes in my environment, activities and general outlook on life. I'd quit taking my antidepressant (Effexor) altogether if the withdrawal wasn't so nasty. I've tapered down my dosage significantly, but its worth it to me to not have to deal with the brutal withdrawal symptoms. This is one of those things that shrinks don't explain as well as they should when you start on antidepressants--I guess the argument they'd make is that the upside of treating your depression now is more significant than the potential withdrawal problems down the road.....

[pinkhighlighter]

Yes, in some cases it definitely can be hereditary. But not in all.
For example, my mother is bipolar, as is one of my brothers. Another brother is schizophrenic and I have suffered from depression before. I was able to overcome my depression, and I hope and pray it is never something I can't handle. I have 3 other brothers and I'm not sure how they are doing, we don't really talk. But not all cases of mental illnesses are hereditary.

It also depends on what kind of depression we are talking about, some depression is situational (not hereditary), and you can definitely learn how to be negative, which is a learned behaviour (I know all about this one too). Then there is the depression that is chemical, I'd guess that that is the one that can be hereditary.