Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe Role of Genetics In DepressionTreatmentHeritability and ChildrenOther CausesSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
The Role of Genetics In Depression
Treatment
Heritability and Children
Other Causes
Summary
Close
Genetics may indicate a risk fordepression, but do not always determine whether a person will develop this all-too-common mental health disorder. There is no “number one cause” of depression, and even more complex is the relationship between genetics, depression, and other known contributing factors.
If you were told you have a “depression gene,” you might worry you will become depressed. However, having agenetic predispositionto a condition does not always mean you will get it.It simply means you may be more susceptible to it than someone who doesn’t have the same genetic makeup.
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As far as researchers know, the interplay of genes and other factors (such as environment and trauma) determine whether someone develops depression.
Some studies have indicated that someone with a first-degree relative diagnosed with depression (a parent, sibling,or child) could be three times more likely to be diagnosed with depression in their lifetime compared to the general population.
However, it’s important to note that while studies have suggested a clear link within families, these findings don’t account for those who develop depression without a family history.
Research has demonstrated that genes play a role in the potential risk for many health conditions, including depression.
Studies have suggested there is a heritable component to depression. Some research has also indicated thatwomen may be more susceptibleto the genetic influences associated with depression than men.
Why Some People Are More Prone to Depression
Understanding Genetic Variations
Heredityis a complex interplay of many factors, not just individual genes. When studying depression or other health conditions, researchers often look for changes in genes called variants. These changes are classified according to the effect (if any) they have on the gene.
Eye color is an example of how variants affect genes. Changes in certain genes that affect melanin production, as well as several other genes, determine what color your eyes are. You inherit a combination of genes, each with their own unique variants, from your parents.
Heritability is a complex process, even for a seemingly simple trait like eye color. For conditions like depression, research has not yet determined the full implications of genetic variations.
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Demystifying the “Depression Gene”
Having a genetic variant can make it more likely—but not definitive—that you will develop a condition associated with that variant.
If a gene associated with a specific condition is altered, it may be more (or less) likely to contribute to the development of that condition. A benign genetic variant is less likely to influence the condition than a pathogenic variant.
In some cases, researchers identify a genetic variant but don’t know what (if any) effect it has. These variants are referred to as having “unknown significance.”
Several large genome-wide studies have proposed potential genetic connections to major depressive disorder.In 2017, researchers identified two new genetic variants associated withdepression.
A 2018 study published in the journalNature Geneticsidentified several genetic variants that appeared to be associated withsymptoms of depressionand, in some cases, physical differences in the brain.
While the research has provided valuable insight into the potential heritability of mental illness, no studies have definitively identified a single gene as the cause of depression.
Scientists believe it’s more likely that all the different genes and genetic variants each make a small contribution to a person’s overall risk. Research has indicated that genes may be passed down in different ways (modes of inheritance), which is another factor that could affect someone’s genetic predisposition to depression.
Can Genetics Affect Mental Health Treatment?
Depression can be treated withmedication,psychotherapy, and other interventions likecognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Some people may be prescribed a combination of treatments.
Your genes may influence how well a specific treatment works for you. For example, research has indicated that certain genes might affect how well your body absorbs, uses, and excretesalcoholand drugs, including antidepressant medications.
Several genes are known to influence drug metabolism, but the results from these studies are primarily of interest to doctors and researchers.
While some consumer genomic test kits provide information about topics like drug metabolism, genomic testing is not the same as genetic testing.
Furthermore, doctors and scientists don’t fully know how useful this information may be for consumers. Talk to your doctor before using your genomic health information to make decisions about your health care, including your depression treatment.
Major Depressive Disorder Treatment Effects
Additional research is needed to understand what findings from genetic studies could mean for antidepressants as well as other medications used to treat depression.
Genetics factors aside, if you’ve been diagnosed with depression and are trying todecide on a treatment, keep in mind that the process can take time. You may need to try more than one type of therapy before finding the right fit. You might even need to adjust or change your treatment plan over time.
Before starting amedication for depression, tell your health care provider about any medications, vitamins, or herbal remedies you already take. These products can interact with antidepressants and affect how well they work or even cause serious side effects.
As you try different approaches, stay in touch with your doctor and your mental health care team. Be sure to let them know if you experience any side effects.
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Does Heritability of Depression Affect Children?
People with depression might be concerned they will pass on the condition to their children. While there could be a heritable component to depression, genetics is not the only determinant.Other factors contribute to risk, whilesome can be protective.
A child who has a parent with depression may have a genetic predisposition but will not necessarily become depressed. Other factors, including environmental factors or “triggers,” are also involved.
On the other hand, a child who does not have a family member with depression and is not genetically predisposed to the condition may become depressed if they are exposed to a triggering event such asexperiencing a trauma.
Even if depression doesn’t “run in your family,” all parents and adult caretakers need to know the signs of depression in children and teens.
A Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression
Non-Genetic Causes of Depression
Genetics is one of several potentialcauses of depression. Knowing the possible causes can help you better understand depression, but remember that depression can also develop in the absence of a clear cause and be difficult to pinpoint. Other known factors that contribute to all forms of depression and other mental health conditions include:
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Having a genetic predisposition to depression can exacerbate these factors and may influence when someone becomes depressed as well as how long symptoms may last. However, it’s important to remember that depression can develop in anyone—even someone who isn’t genetically predisposed and isn’t susceptible to known risk factors.
Identifying the signs of depression and being able to recognize them in yourself and others is crucial to ensuring the condition doesn’t go untreated.
If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
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Verywell Mind 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.
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