Is depression hereditary?

[Smowball]

In other words, does in run in families?

[andy-hughes]

It can do - but that does mean that the condition is hereditary.

I think it is possible that Clinical Depression - caused by a seratonin imbalance, may be passed on genetically, but Reactive Depression is not, and if two members of a family have it, that is probably just coincidence.

[Robinia]

I think it's probably a combination of genes and the behaviour of those around you when you were growing up.

[boxtops]

I agree with robinia, if you are brought up with a depressive person, it can rub off on you (sqad, that's not a clinical term :-)

[Smowball]

Hmmm, its just that one of my sons seems to be displaying quite a few of his fathers traits moodwise, even though he didnt live with him from the age of 4.His father suffers from severe depression/mood swings.

[emmie]

it's quite possible, however how old is your son, if a teen, then it's rather par for the course. Also children pick up on parents moods and rows very easily and that can make a child seem moody, and sometime difficult.

[magsmay]

Smowball - will try not to use too much psychobabble here - Depression has many causes both physical and mental. A brain malfunction (not creating enough 'happy chemicals) can run in families as can the disposition towards Depression - your Core Beliefs, Automatic Thoughts some say are nature (hereditary) some Nurture (learned from parents). Its very complicated but I personally think Depression can run in families but am sure at least a few people on here will disagree as it often depends if you are a Physician or a psychologist as to your views on the matter.

[Vicasso]

Yes, you get it from your kids :-)

[magsmay]

hi again Smowball -my comment passed 'in the mail' so to speak. If your husband is clinically depressed and is bipolar or suffers from unipolar disorder then your son may be more susceptible - the way he is brought up will have no effect on something that is a physical condition. If your husbands Depression is linked to Anxiety or substance abuse then not necessarily. And Smow -he is 14yrs old - believe me he will go through all sorts of mood swings, rants raves door slams and 'I hate you you are the worst parent in the world' before he comes out the other side at about 21 ;-)

[puternut]

Beat me to it Vicasso!

I'll just go in the corner and sulk


<Sorry if you think this too flippant Smowball - I have been on anti-ds for 20years>

[Smowball]

Lol, just logged back on. No nothing to do with being a teenager - he has always had strong similarities to his dads personality/behaviour, from when he was quite small. Was just curious.

[magsmay]

@Smow

//he has always had strong similarities to his dads personality/behaviour, from when he was quite small.//

Showing signs of a parents Personality and Behaviour does not mean he is going to get depressed! If he has been showing signs of Depression and mood swings since he was 'quite small' then this would have been picked up by now by his teachers - I think you are reading too much into this -you have not had a teenager yet -Ha Ha -you will see - cut the guy some slack Smo -first you are accusing him of lying that his dad was dead (title of your post was 'strange lie' so you'd already decided he had said what your OH said he heard and meant what he said) and now you're looking for signs of a mental illness?????? Poor lad -reading through some of your archived posts of things that have happened in your family over the last year he's every right to be a bit angry and moody.

[ummmm]

Smow has 4 kids...

[DTCwordfan]

Can do - I have a friend and depression has come down her father's line three generations at least and on her mother's side, three generations as well of bipolarism - poor gal never has stood a chance - sectioned six times but, for the moment, ok on a lithium regime.

[coccinelle]

Heriditary means you'll automatically inherit it whist genetical means you could as it can be in your genes. This was pointed out to me by a doctor and does change things. Just thought I'd clarify that. Sorry for interrupting...

[DTCwordfan]

true coccinelle.....

[magsmay]

@ummm -ok did not know that -still stand by my comments though -every teenager is different and those other kids probably have not had the same experience re Smows OH as her youngest

[Smowball]

magsmay - as ummmm quite correctly knows, I have raised 4 children and 4 teenagers.

[Smowball]

And I never said mental illness

[NOX]

Well I used to be very short fused, violent, was diagnosed with depression and mental illness earlier on in my life, had addictions and my father was exactly the same- however it has to be said that if I had to jump one way or the other in the nature vs nurture stakes I would largely go with nurture, as since I removed myself from the problem location, problem people and problem lifestyle, actually took the time and trouble to relearn my responses to situations and stress ( not easy or quick) I have been largely problem free and not taking any medication for it now for a very long time. That being said I'm still probably more likely to be deeply affected by some things than most people, and likewise probably more likely to want to solve problems by chucking someone through a window, but in my own case despite my father being a total sociopath I think I've largely overcome any inherant tendencies by careful life management.

[ummmm]

And, some people are just miserable. My youngest son was born miserable and is never happy unless he has something to moan about.