Question about suicide.?

Question

I'm not suicidal what-so-ever, I just have a question because my Mother and I were just talking about this.

My Dad killed himself when I was 2. I'm now 28 and I have been raised by a guy who has been nothing but a wonderful Father to me. Even my biological fathers family has met him and scolded me when I introduced him as my 'Step-Dad' and corrected me by telling me that he is my not a 'Step-dad' but my 'real Father.' I've had friends whose parents committed suicide and eventually they too have attempted suicide themselves (Thank God they were able to seek help.)

Which brings me to my question.

Is suicide genetic? I have heard different theories that a suicide survivor is more likely to commit or attempt suicide at one point.

While there has been periods of my life where I have been extremely depressed, I have never wanted to commit suicide, mainly because I know how hard it is on the family, and I would NEVER want to put my family through that hurt. Plus, I do feel that life is worth living, no matter how bad or sh*tty it can get at times. The only reason I ask is because, like I said, I have heard different theories.

Answer 1

Suicide is NOT genetic.

BUT...If you are a survivor of suicide, well in the end after it's all over you feel more crappier then before...Which leaves you more suicide...It's kind of like a drug. You do it once, and it feels so good (in this case bad) that you want to do it again.

Trust me i would know =\

Answer 2

Depression and other disorders are thought to have a genetic component to them. They seem to run in families. But it does not automatically mean that a son or daughter will automatically suffer from a disorder that a parent has. It does make it more likely.

Answer 3

i don't think suicide is genetic but the state of mind might be similar throughout the different generations.  if someone attempted suicide they are more likely to try it again because they didn't go through it the first time and want to try again.  they are upset and don't feel that life is worth living and that's a feeling that's hard to forget.  it's great to hear that you had a great father figure to bring you up, you don't know how lucky you are.  i've been depressed and suicidal, i'm glad i didn't go through with it but i can understand how a survivor would want to try to kill themselves again.  i'm sorry to hear about your dad committing suicide when you were so young, that's a shame.  but lets say your dad committed or attempted suicide when you were older, lets say at least 15.  you would have grown up understanding how your dad thinks and if he then killed himself you would have possibly understood his motive and then thought the same or similar about yourself or your surroundings and then attempted suicide yourself.  i wouldn't say it's genetic but i would say it's a similar mindset that may or may not pass through the generations if that makes any sense

Answer 4

No, it's hardly genetic. There's no gene for this. However, depression is said to be genetic and other mental health problems like schizophrenia. But even these are just predispositions, meaning if some thing's in your family, you have a greater chance than others for getting it. Just stay away from factors that can lead to depression so your predisposition doesn't come into play. My dad committed suicide almost a year ago, and I've thought of it a great deal before and after, but I think I'm now over it. I've thought about it, and cognitively I've overcome it's threat. At least for now.  

Answer 5

well if you look at it a religious way then, its would be "spiritually genetic"  i'm not good at explaining it but its in the Christian Bible. but physically it is not genetic.  hoped i helped

Answer 6

you sound like you have nothing to worry about.   you feel that life is worth living - and it is.

i've also been told that psychiatric illness is hereditary.  i have a psychiatric illness (and yes i have attempted); but i come from a family with no history of this illness.  my doctors get freaked out by this.  ultimately it's all a crapshoot.  if there is history of psychiatric illness in your family then yes you are more likely to exhibit those traits, but it is not a given.  and depression does not equal suicide.