Is depression hereditary?

Question

my dad has it but doesnt take meds bc he doesnt want to...how much of a chance do i have of getting depression?

Answer 1

it can be passed on yes.  

Answer 2

Yes it is hereditary. It is too bad your father is afraid to get medication.

You don't even notice you are taking it except that you are not depressed anymore. Ask him to see a doctor for Celexa. He has heard too much about people going crazy on those mega drugs.

If he drinks or tokes that is probably why he does not want to take meds.  

Answer 3

Studies have shown that mental illness is passed on through the father's genes.  Just because the father has a mental illness does not mean that the child will have a mental illness.  The risk is greater but does not mean it will happen.  I am diagnosed OCD, ADHD, and Bipolar.   I have a 3 year old daughter and my biggest fear is that she would "inherit" some of the "disorders" that I have.  

Even thou it is very hard to diagnose mental illness in children, they do start show some signs at early ages.  I thank God she doesn't show any of these.  Until she grows up there is no answer of if she will have any of the illnesses and if she does how severe they will be.  

If your father chooses not to take medicines there is nothing you can do about that.  If you are diagnosed, then obviously the choice is yours.  All I can tell you is I have had a very long journey in 7 years to get "stabalized" and medicines and therapy saved my life.  If I was in a a situation to take medicines if I was diagnosed and I didn't want to do it for myself, I would do it for my child.

The person earlier who stated that we control how sad we get is absolutely wrong about depression by the way.  If you would like more information on BiPolar Disorder and other mental illness please goto www.nami.org

Answer 4

clinical depression is hereditary, yes. that is depression that is so severe it needs to be corrected with medication. you can have small depressions, like when you get depressed because you didn't get asked to the dance, but they go away after awhile, clinical depression doesn't go away without medication.

Answer 5

yes it can be hereditary.

runs in my friends family.

mine please very important

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?...

Answer 6

well it is hereditary according to studies, but that doesn't mean youll have it. it has a lot to do with just general person or personality too. you cant really predict something like that you just have to watch for warning signs

Answer 7

Some types of depression can be hereditary, others not.  Situational depression often is more due to a problem with coping skills even though many end up needing antidepressants.  Depression caused by child abuse isn't hereditary, same with depression caused by other trauma.  The type of depression that can be hereditary often begins in the teens and is not related to a specific stressor or cause.

If you take care of yourself, work with a therapist if you have difficult life events or history/feelings to deal with, and are aware of the signs, you will probably be fine.  Most likely, you do not know the real source of your father's depression, and even if it is the hereditary type, the odds of you inheriting and manifesting are low.

Answer 8

Yes, there is a tendency for depression to be hereditary.  But, not only do you have the genetic makeup, it sounds like you are living in the sort of toxic environment that can awaken the tendency to it. (I am assuming that you live with your parents)

A lot of depressed people refuse to take their meds because of the undesirable side effects, which can vary between weight gain, fatigue, headache, anhedonia, and others that I cannot remember at this moment in time.   And, depending on the cause of the depression, meds are not successful, but therapy may be.

Answer 9

everyone in my family (parents, siblings, myself) takes depression meds.

we all had a normal happy healthy life, nothing traumatic or anything like that... i think it's somewhat genetic

Answer 10

i woundnt think so because i think its really something you chose too have in a way because you chose too make your self feel sad what i would do is play your fav song and turn the pc on i like myspace youtube and yahoo pump up the party