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is your depression genetic?

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Posted 2/10/2006 8:05 PM (GMT -7)
Is your depression genetic?

Post Edited (irene17) : 6/25/2006 2:11:09 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 2/11/2006 12:02 AM (GMT -7)
The research shows that genetics does not necessitate depression.

It may predispose you to it, but attitude and outlook outweighs any "history of" in one's family.

Pharmaceutical companies and most psychiatrists would go out of business if they would accept this proven Research.

A good portion of what we go through is in how we 'choose to cope'. Again, that was a quote from some prominent psychiatrists ... Dr. William Glasser and many others with him.

That's why it's healthier to say, "I battle depression" rather than "I suffer from depression" ... same for anxiety.

Just thought I'd throw in the opposing viewpoint, from my own 38 years of "battling" both, with history plus every other factor that could be thrown in.

My mother left us 5 kids when I was 2 months old, she had a 7 yr. long break down even though my dad was the best husband any woman could have wanted ... I've been in and out of a total of 7 homes since. Made to feel unwanted and abused in 4 of those homes since age 7 ... right up until this day and I'm 53 now.

Every genetic, environmental, situational and now organic illness would say, I should definitely be depressed ... I've chosen to not be and I still have a wicked sense of humor that I plan to keep ... thanks to Dr. William Glasser and one of his students, who became one of the best psychiatrists in our Marine Corps and retired to Florida to continue his work. God Bless them and those thousands like them, for giving me the opposing viewpoint, when I was hospitialized 27 years ago and others thought I'd never come out of a Hospital.


Thanks for letting me honor men and woman like them here.
Ann
Posted 2/12/2006 3:40 AM (GMT -7)

I believe it is a genetic predispostion also.

My mom has depression, my dad has Bipolar, my little brother by a differant father has Bipolar and I have depression. 

I dont think that because one parent has depression that it is certain that their child will have it.  It is how you were raised and life experances that factor into this.  In my opinion.

Posted 2/13/2006 11:12 PM (GMT -7)
No one in my family has suffered from depression, or at least they haven't been diagnosed with it.
Posted 2/15/2006 8:44 AM (GMT -7)
my mother deals with depression, my brother does as well. I don't know about my father, he wasn't part of my growing up years.
one of my other brothers dealt with situational depression.
I believe if it's there, it could be in the genes, and it's a brain chemistry thing, something missing, or not quite enough of, this is what my rheumy says as well.
I choose to be a survivor and not defined by what I feel but what I do with what I feel...trying to get a handle on IT rather than it have a handle on ME, not so easy sometimes, but worth the effort.
Posted 2/15/2006 1:33 PM (GMT -7)
No one else in my family has depression that I know of. I think mine is both chemical and situational.
Posted 2/15/2006 5:01 PM (GMT -7)
My mother suffered with depression & migraines when she was younger now both my sisters & myself suffer with migraines & depression.

Posted 2/15/2006 5:14 PM (GMT -7)
My father has been hospitalized with depression when he was younger. He has been off and on meds. My mom has been on meds too. There is definetly part of my depression/anxiety that is genetic. But I try not to use that as an excuse to continue the disease. I fight it.
Posted 3/11/2006 11:53 AM (GMT -7)
I think my depression is also genetic. I would wager that both my parents are depressed, but neither have ever sought treatment. When I do get majorly depressed something in my life usually has to give way before things really get bad.
Posted 3/11/2006 1:15 PM (GMT -7)
 

 

      Depression is not always genetic unless it is coming from Bipolar syndrome.  Some people have environment that causes depression, or something that has been a truma in their life and they need to deal with it.  Depression can come from many reasons but there usually is a basic problem in their life.  There are many examples, and most do need expert help to learn how to deal with what is doing this.

   On the other hand Bipolar syndrome is definitely genetic.  I am Bipolar and did not realize until age 19.  I am also OCD and have Irriatable Bowel Syndrome.  Anxiety and IBS go hand in hand.  By the way I am 52 now and have fought this demon many years but so far came out on top.  And meds....they are trial and error just like most things in life.  Good Luck to you and I hope this was a bit helpful.

Delta Dawn

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