History of Depression

Depression can be described as a mental health related issue where one experiences overwhelming feelings of sadness, isolation and worthlessness which surfaces in the form of physical fatigue, restless sleeping pattern and lack of concentration in daily activities. It is mainly caused as a result of the imbalances in the brains neurotransmitters and the central nervous system. It is often seen that if a person is diagnosed with depression, he may have other members in the family who are experiencing a similar problem.

If depression in your family is a common issue or something like a depressed girlfriend, it does not necessarily mean that you will also suffer from the same problem. It also doesn’t mean that you can be warranted of a depression free lifestyle if you do not have any history of depression in the family. This is because depression hereditary is not the only factor that causes this illness. Many other factors such as loss of a loved one, heartbreaks, financial crisis etc can instigate depression in a person.

Is Depression Hereditary

Till recently the question,”Is depression hereditary?” had been heavily debated. Recent studies have however shown that depression can actually be inherited. Just like the color of your eyes and hair and skin are inherited from your parents, you can also inherit certain diseases and mental illnesses as well. Thus if someone is suffering from depression in your family, the probability of you becoming depressed is very high. Researchers have established that if a member of your family such as parent, brother, sister or uncle is known to suffer from depression then you are 1.5 to 3 times more likely of inheriting the disorder than someone who does not have a family history of depression. Depression can run for generations in your family as genetics play a vital role here but also knowing how to heal depression is just as vital. Studies have proved with strong evidence that depression issues such a manic depression and depressive disorders are caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, the predisposition to which is hereditary.

Dealing with Hereditary Depression

Anyone with a family history of depression does not mean that the individual will eventually suffer from depression. But it is necessary to be very cautious as that individual is at a greater risk of developing the disorder at some point in life later. With the knowledge of depression in your family, you can take optimum steps to evade its effect on yourself. By taking the requisite steps at an early stage of your life, you will be able to avoid its development. A therapist or a psychiatrist can help a person deal with the daily stresses in life and learn ways to overcome them. Following this at an early phase of life can help the person to ward off depression at an older age. In fact being prepared for it allows someone to focus and take control of their own life. Having an optimistic attitude and being happy goes a long way in keeping someone out of depression. Thus early help from a therapist or a counselor, whether it is face to face or online, can help some one keep the stress and anxiety away thus reducing their chances of falling into depression.