Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Depression?Causes: GeneticAnxiety and GeneticsTreating DepressionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Depression?
Causes: Genetic
Anxiety and Genetics
Treating Depression
Frequently Asked Questions
The cause ofdepressionis not completely known, but scientists believe genetics and certain environmental factors, such as childhood trauma or severe life stress, can contribute to this mental disorder. People who have a first-degree relative like a parent or sibling with depression appear to have a two to three times greater risk of developing the condition than the general public.
It’s believed that no one single gene causes depression. People inherit a combination of genes from their parents, and certain gene combinations can make it more likely for someone to develop depression. However, some people who develop depression do not have a family history of the mental disorder.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
What Causes Depression?
While feelings of sadness, heartache, and general malaise or blahness are normal, depression causes prolonged feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness, along with a loss of interest in activities that you once enjoyed.These feelings can interfere with your ability to perform daily activities, including school and work.
Symptoms of depression can be physical and emotional, such as:
Depression most commonly begins in late adolescence or early adulthood, but it can appear at any age. If left untreated, episodes of depression can last for weeks, months, or years, and can go away and come back.
List of Common Types of Mental Illness
Is Depression Genetic?
It’s believed that there is a genetic component to depression, and researchers are still trying to understand the genetics involved. There is no clear pattern of heritability for depression at the moment. Studies suggest that variations in many genes, each with a small effect, combine to increase the risk of developing depression.
The genes thought to be associated with depression have diverse functions in the brain. Some of them may control the production, transport, and activity of chemicals called neurotransmitters, which relay chemical signals that allow nerve cells (neurons) to communicate with one another.
Other genes that may influence the risk of depression are involved in the growth, maturation, and maintenance of neurons, as well as the ability of the connections between neurons (synapses) to change and adapt over time in response to experience, a characteristic known as synaptic plasticity.
For example, it’s been hypothesized that genes associated with low levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine can lead to the development of depression.These neurotransmitters are responsible for regulating mood, sleep, and appetite.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors can also contribute to depression. The factors below may affect the severity of the condition and treatment response:
What Are the Best Foods for Depression?
Is Anxiety Genetic?
It’s common for people with depression to also have ananxiety disorder. Research has shown that comorbid depression and anxiety disorders occur in up to 25% of general practice patients. Some studies suggest that about 85% of patients with depression have significant anxiety, while 90% of patients with anxiety disorder have depression.
While certain lifestyle factors can contribute to anxiety disorders, researchers believe there is a genetic component to these mental disorders as well. Some genes, combined with environmental factors like traumatic experiences, can increase the risk of developing an anxiety disorder.
It’s said that a third of the risk of one type of anxiety disorder called generalized anxiety disorder is genetic.
Overcoming Depression
Even if you are diagnosed with depression, the mental disorder can bemanagedwith a combination of psychotherapy and medications.
The types of psychotherapy used to treat depression include:
Your mental health professionals may prescribe antidepressants to help you manage your symptoms, including:
Besides formal treatment options, there are also ways you can alleviate the symptoms of depression, including:
When to Seek Emergency HelpIf you are thinking of harming yourself or someone else, call 911 or seek emergency medical help immediately. You can also seek help through theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration(SAMHSA) National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
When to Seek Emergency Help
If you are thinking of harming yourself or someone else, call 911 or seek emergency medical help immediately. You can also seek help through theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration(SAMHSA) National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
If you are thinking of harming yourself or someone else, call 911 or seek emergency medical help immediately. You can also seek help through theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration(SAMHSA) National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Summary
The risk of developing depression is two to three times higher if a close relative like a parent or sibling has the mental disorder. However, it’s important to know that this increased risk is linked to a variety of genetic factors. Therefore, just because your parent or sibling has depression doesn’t mean that you will have it too. Certain environmental factors like traumatic events can also contribute to depression.
A Word From Verywell
Your genes don’t determine your future. You have the power to take steps to reduce your likelihood of ever developing depression or anxiety.
Can you inherit depression from your parents?
Does having a family history of mental illness mean you’ll have one too?
Not necessarily. Genetic and hereditary factors only account for some risk of a mental disorder. Studies have shown certain genetic components, though, are common across a spectrum of mental disorders, suggesting a biological component to mental illness.
Why are women more likely to have depression?
Women are more likely to be diagnosed with depression. This can be due to hormonal differences, socialization and social role differences, gendered coping styles, and different responses to stressful life events between men and women.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Depression.National Institute on Mental Health.Depression.Shadrina M, Bondarenko EA, Slominsky PA.Genetics factors in major depression disease.Front Psychiatry. 2018 Jul 23;9:334. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00334Adjibade M, Julia C, Allès B, et al.Prospective association between ultra-processed food consumption and incident depressive symptoms in the French NutriNet-Santé cohort.BMC Medicine. 2019;17(1):78. doi:10.1186/s12916-019-1312-yNg E, Browne CJ, Samsom JN, Wong AHC.Depression and substance use comorbidity: what we have learned from animal studies.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017;43(4):456-474. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1183020Nabeshima T, Kim HC.Involvement of genetic and environmental factors in the onset of depression.Exp Neurobiol. 2013;22(4):235-243. doi:10.5607/en.2013.22.4.235Tiller JW.Depression and anxiety.Med J Aust. 2013 Sep 16;199(S6):S28-S31. doi:10.5694/mja12.10628Domschke K, Maron E.Genetic factors in anxiety disorders.Mod Trends Pharmacopsychiatry. 2013;29:24-46. doi:10.1159/000351932Boston Children’s Hospital.Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).National Alliance on Mental Health.Depression.National Institutes of Health.Common genetic factors found in 5 mental disorders.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Depression.National Institute on Mental Health.Depression.Shadrina M, Bondarenko EA, Slominsky PA.Genetics factors in major depression disease.Front Psychiatry. 2018 Jul 23;9:334. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00334Adjibade M, Julia C, Allès B, et al.Prospective association between ultra-processed food consumption and incident depressive symptoms in the French NutriNet-Santé cohort.BMC Medicine. 2019;17(1):78. doi:10.1186/s12916-019-1312-yNg E, Browne CJ, Samsom JN, Wong AHC.Depression and substance use comorbidity: what we have learned from animal studies.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017;43(4):456-474. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1183020Nabeshima T, Kim HC.Involvement of genetic and environmental factors in the onset of depression.Exp Neurobiol. 2013;22(4):235-243. doi:10.5607/en.2013.22.4.235Tiller JW.Depression and anxiety.Med J Aust. 2013 Sep 16;199(S6):S28-S31. doi:10.5694/mja12.10628Domschke K, Maron E.Genetic factors in anxiety disorders.Mod Trends Pharmacopsychiatry. 2013;29:24-46. doi:10.1159/000351932Boston Children’s Hospital.Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).National Alliance on Mental Health.Depression.National Institutes of Health.Common genetic factors found in 5 mental disorders.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Depression.National Institute on Mental Health.Depression.Shadrina M, Bondarenko EA, Slominsky PA.Genetics factors in major depression disease.Front Psychiatry. 2018 Jul 23;9:334. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00334Adjibade M, Julia C, Allès B, et al.Prospective association between ultra-processed food consumption and incident depressive symptoms in the French NutriNet-Santé cohort.BMC Medicine. 2019;17(1):78. doi:10.1186/s12916-019-1312-yNg E, Browne CJ, Samsom JN, Wong AHC.Depression and substance use comorbidity: what we have learned from animal studies.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017;43(4):456-474. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1183020Nabeshima T, Kim HC.Involvement of genetic and environmental factors in the onset of depression.Exp Neurobiol. 2013;22(4):235-243. doi:10.5607/en.2013.22.4.235Tiller JW.Depression and anxiety.Med J Aust. 2013 Sep 16;199(S6):S28-S31. doi:10.5694/mja12.10628Domschke K, Maron E.Genetic factors in anxiety disorders.Mod Trends Pharmacopsychiatry. 2013;29:24-46. doi:10.1159/000351932Boston Children’s Hospital.Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).National Alliance on Mental Health.Depression.National Institutes of Health.Common genetic factors found in 5 mental disorders.
MedlinePlus.Depression.
National Institute on Mental Health.Depression.
Shadrina M, Bondarenko EA, Slominsky PA.Genetics factors in major depression disease.Front Psychiatry. 2018 Jul 23;9:334. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00334
Adjibade M, Julia C, Allès B, et al.Prospective association between ultra-processed food consumption and incident depressive symptoms in the French NutriNet-Santé cohort.BMC Medicine. 2019;17(1):78. doi:10.1186/s12916-019-1312-y
Ng E, Browne CJ, Samsom JN, Wong AHC.Depression and substance use comorbidity: what we have learned from animal studies.Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017;43(4):456-474. doi:10.1080/00952990.2016.1183020
Nabeshima T, Kim HC.Involvement of genetic and environmental factors in the onset of depression.Exp Neurobiol. 2013;22(4):235-243. doi:10.5607/en.2013.22.4.235
Tiller JW.Depression and anxiety.Med J Aust. 2013 Sep 16;199(S6):S28-S31. doi:10.5694/mja12.10628
Domschke K, Maron E.Genetic factors in anxiety disorders.Mod Trends Pharmacopsychiatry. 2013;29:24-46. doi:10.1159/000351932
Boston Children’s Hospital.Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
National Alliance on Mental Health.Depression.
National Institutes of Health.Common genetic factors found in 5 mental disorders.
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