In continuation to our previous post about whether deafness is inherited or not, we at Compare DNA Kits were asked whether depression is inherited genetically or not. It makes no surprise that this is a popular question in the U.S or outside of it. In the USA, it is claimed that depression hits as much as 10% of the population at a certain point in their lifetime. In other countries the statistics are a little more murky around the statistics as a significant portion of the population which suffers from depression or other mental issues and illnesses goes undiagnosed (if you have no access to mental health locally – visit BestOnlineTherapy.com.
When it comes to whether depression is genetically inherited the most confusing statistics is this – the likeliness of having mental issues as someone whose parents or siblings suffer from mental illnesses is five times higher. That piece of statistics often hints people that genetics are involved, but genetics are far from being the only factor involved. The depression gene is a realthing, and depression is considered a partly genetically-inherited disease, but it’s not only the genetic but also the environment. In a previous article we have explored that very topic and realized that while some diseases are purely genetic, others such as cancer, are a mix of genetics and environment, as well as general maintenance of health.
If someone has inherited the “depression gene” and grew up with adults with mental illnesses then the likeliness of depression is high.
If someone has inherited the “depression gene” and did not have mental issues in the family or other traumas, then he is only slightly more susceptible to develop depression compared to the the population’s median average risk.
The bottom line is that depression is partly inherited genetically, and partly a product of the environment, upbringing and other factors.