Is Depression Genetic?

What Is Depression?

Depression involves a low mood and feeling of sadness and hopelessness. It can also come with feelings of tiredness, focusing on the negative, and thoughts of self-harm. Depression can also happen alongside anxiety, though depression is marked by a chronic sense of low feeling even during a high period of anxiety.

Symptoms of Depression

There can be many different symptoms of depression, and these symptoms can vary by individual, their circumstances, history, trauma, and other factors; but there are some common symptoms to be aware of.

Common characteristics of depression include:

• Hopelessness and feeling discouraged about the future
• Feeling low sense of worth
• Lacking motivation and drive
• Viewing themself as a burden
• Suicidal thoughts

Types of Depression

There are various types of depression and situations in which depression can be triggered. There are several types of depression, including:

• Major depression
• Persistent depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Psychotic depression
• Peripartum (postpartum) depression
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• Situational depression
• Atypical depression
• Treatment resistant depression

Genetic vs. Hereditary

When something is genetic, it implies that the characteristic is transferred from parent to child through genes. In other words, it’s passed from the sperm and egg at conception. Hereditary features are set in stone, so to speak, and resistant to change.³

For example, eye color is an inherited trait given directly to the child from the parents. The child will receive genetic material from both biological parents. These genes will determine the color of the offspring’s eyes. There are no environmental or other factors that will change the color.³ Thus eye color is strictly genetic and there is no way to change it without changing the genes.

Health conditions can be genetic or inherited as well. For example, sickle cell disease is a collection of disorders inherited from one’s parents. Fragile X syndrome, which leads to intellectual disabilities, is passed directly from parents to children, too.³ With conditions that are fully genetic or hereditary, parents with specific genes can result in children with the condition.

Is Depression Genetic?

Leaders in the field believe that genetics is 40-50% responsible for depression, meaning that other contributing factors have an equal impact on whether or not a person eventually develops the condition.¹ It’s important to note that someone with a first-degree relative with depression is up to three times more likely to have depression vs. the general population.^{1, 2}

Because genetics aren’t the only cause or contributing factor for depression, they aren’t completely indicative of the condition. Studies with identical twins (sharing 100% of the same genetic coding) show that one twin can have depression while the other doesn’t. However, it’s more likely for identical twins to both have depression than it is for non-identical twins (sharing 50% of the same genetic code).²

Is There a “Depression Gene?”

People interested in the genetic link with depression have searched for a so-called “depression gene.” While there’s a precedent to support the idea of a single gene causing a disorder, depression is influenced by numerous pieces of genetic code.⁴

For example, these three diseases are triggered by a single gene:²

• Cystic fibrosis
• Types of muscular dystrophy
• Huntington’s disease

To study the possibility of a depression gene, researchers from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Yale University, and the University of California – San Diego studied the genes of millions of participants. They found many genetic variants that were correlated with depression, but there could be even more undiscovered genetic factors that contribute to depression.⁴

Non-Genetic Causes of Depression

Non-genetic causes of depression are numerous and varied, but they tend to involve stressful life events, often leading to what’s called situational depression. Most mental health issues are discussed in terms of nature (genetics) and nurture (experiences), and depression seems to be a condition of both. Each accounts for roughly 50% of the influence on the disorder.

Non-genetic causes of depression include:^{1, 5}

• Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse (past or present)
• Death of a loved one
• Divorce or separation
• Relationship problems at home, work, or school
• Traumatic life events like car accidents or violence
• Loss of job and financial stressors
• Social isolation
• Life transitions with children growing or moving out of the home

Other common causes of depression include:^{1, 5}

• Substance abuse: consuming alcohol and other drugs can disrupt the normal brain chemistry to induce a period of depression
• Certain medications or physical health conditions: people with some forms of cancer, thyroid issues, and chronic pain frequently report depressive symptoms
• Pregnancy: peripartum depressive disorder occurs in people who are pregnant or who have recently given birth

There are so many non-genetic causes of depression because depression itself is not just one disorder. Rather, it is an entire category of mental health conditions with unique symptoms and triggers. Other pieces of one’s personality, temperament, and coping skills can be protective or predispositions to developing depression.

Will Everyone In My Family Develop Depression?

If you have depression and decide to have a family, not everyone in your family will necessarily develop depression. Family heredity is part of the puzzle that leads to emergence, but it is only one piece. As discussed, many non-genetic factors like stressful life events, substance use, and medical conditions can contribute to the development of depression.¹

Do Family Members Develop the Same Type of Depression?

If family members develop genetic depression, it won’t necessarily be the same type. They could develop a completely different depressive or psychological disorder. When a person has a strong family connection to depression, they could actually develop a major mood disorder like bipolar disorder or an anxiety disorder.² Too much variability exists to know exactly how their mental health will be affected.

Can Depression Be Cured?

Mental health professionals do not usually assert that depression can be cured. It’s an intricate condition that can be chronic, so clinicians usually aim to provide treatments that effectively reduce symptoms linked to depression and return the client to a state where the condition does not limit their daily functioning. When depression is mild and professional treatments are sought early, depression can be well-managed.

Depression Treatment

Knowing how to treat depression is important. Psychotherapy and medication for depression management are the primary sources of treatment. Some may opt for only therapy, only medication, or a combined approach.⁶ Depression treatments may not work instantly, though.

Antidepressant medications can take four to six weeks to begin producing wanted effects. Depression therapy can start addressing faulty thinking patterns, poor relationships, negative coping skills, and problematic behaviors during the first session, but it may take weeks of practice for the results to present.⁶

Additional treatments like brain stimulation therapy and esketamine represent new and emerging options, especially for people with treatment-resistant depression. Healthy lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and regular, restful sleep can also improve depressive symptoms.⁶

How to Find a Therapist

If you are dealing with depression, consider reaching out to a therapist through an online therapist directory. This can help you narrow down your search by cost, location, speciality, etc. You might also consider asking for your primary care physician (PCP) for a recommendation.

Do Genetics Influence Treatment Options?

Currently, tests are working to understand the influence of genetics on treatment for depression. It seems that people with certain genetic factors could respond better to different types of medication. Historically, there hasn’t been a reliable way to predict whether a specific medication will work apart from asking about family history of medication use, but pharmacogenetic testing offers a more scientific method.

Pharmacogenetics is a method of testing a person’s DNA to see how medication will impact them.⁷ After a few trials of antidepressants, if someone still hasn’t found success with symptom management, the prescriber may recommend pharmacogenetic testing to guide future treatments. These tests don’t guarantee a successful response to medications, but can help guide you and your provider toward options.

Outlook For People With Depression

The outlook for people with depression can be hopeful, especially when mild symptoms are addressed early with professional treatment. In these cases, symptoms can resolve within a few months and never reappear.⁵

Compounding Variables for Depression

The prognosis changes when depression is more severe and paired with compounding variables, including ongoing abuse, isolation, health problems, and substance use. No one can change their genes, but if necessary, people can and should adjust their lifestyle and environment to improve their symptoms of depression.

Compounding variables of depression include:

• Ongoing abuse or neglect
• Dangerous situations or environments
• Active substance use
• Chronic physical health problems
• Problematic relationships

Final Thoughts on Whether Depression Is Genetic

Is depression hereditary? The answer is yes, but not entirely. Genetics are 40-50% responsible for depression, meaning that other contributing factors have an equal impact on whether or not someone eventually develops the condition. If you have depression, know that you’re not alone.