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Depression - Biological/genetic?
Just found out today that my auntie has tried to kill herself (I think it was within the past week). She's apparently been depressed for years, and has tried this before, and has had quite a few bad relationships/life events to happen which could possibly have caused this.
However, as a Psychology student I do wonder whether there are genetic factors involved. Her grandfather (my great-granddad) was suicidal and killed himself, my grandfather (her real dad) was apparently depressed, my mother's depressed, and I have depression also.
I did think there might have been reasons other than genes - I don't know of any life events of my great-granddad or my grandfather, but my mum and my auntie have both had a hard time of it. My granddad left when Mum was 3 and my auntie was 1 or 2, and he was apparently not a nice man, and neither was their step-father. My auntie lost a son a few years ago (she tried to commit suicide shortly ater), and my mum has various disabilities, etc.., to cope with. So, maybe it's just a coincidence that four generations and five people (that we know of) have depression.
Or maybe it's genes.
What do you think? I know there's a wealth of evidence to support either the nature side of the debate or the nurture side, but considering the facts in this case, is it likely to be genetics?
However, as a Psychology student I do wonder whether there are genetic factors involved. Her grandfather (my great-granddad) was suicidal and killed himself, my grandfather (her real dad) was apparently depressed, my mother's depressed, and I have depression also.
I did think there might have been reasons other than genes - I don't know of any life events of my great-granddad or my grandfather, but my mum and my auntie have both had a hard time of it. My granddad left when Mum was 3 and my auntie was 1 or 2, and he was apparently not a nice man, and neither was their step-father. My auntie lost a son a few years ago (she tried to commit suicide shortly ater), and my mum has various disabilities, etc.., to cope with. So, maybe it's just a coincidence that four generations and five people (that we know of) have depression.
Or maybe it's genes.
What do you think? I know there's a wealth of evidence to support either the nature side of the debate or the nurture side, but considering the facts in this case, is it likely to be genetics?
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um isnt it like a fact that there is a genetic link?...thats what i thought anyways.
I didn't think it was fact, more scientific/psychological theory. I know there's people who think that there's a genetic predisposition though 
.
.I think it is nature and nuture.
Genetic predisposition triggered by bad experience.
I'm never quite sure what to think on this one. I think it is a mix of the two. If you suffer from depression when you are surrounded by positively then it must feel pretty isolating… the fact is, many people do suffer when there is no evidential/straight forward cause.
Bad experiences are bound to make someone feel worse… but it all depends on our own coping mechanisms/personality traits etc. Do you think that a good upbringing can reverse the potential for depression in later life? Perhaps it's 50/50.
An imbalance in hormones can be triggered by stress or illness so perhaps nature and nurture are inextricably linked? I'm really not sure!
It's no good telling yourself that you're predisposed just because other people in your family have suffered (I'd be screwed if I did that!). Try to think positively and see where that gets you. I know it's hard… believe you me… but it's got to do you more good if you say to yourself ‘perhaps I'm the exception’ I'd like to think that works anyway!
Bad experiences are bound to make someone feel worse… but it all depends on our own coping mechanisms/personality traits etc. Do you think that a good upbringing can reverse the potential for depression in later life? Perhaps it's 50/50.
An imbalance in hormones can be triggered by stress or illness so perhaps nature and nurture are inextricably linked? I'm really not sure!
It's no good telling yourself that you're predisposed just because other people in your family have suffered (I'd be screwed if I did that!). Try to think positively and see where that gets you. I know it's hard… believe you me… but it's got to do you more good if you say to yourself ‘perhaps I'm the exception’
I'd like to think that works anyway!HearTheThunder
Genetic predisposition triggered by bad experience.
^ That.
Laus
It's no good telling yourself that you're predisposed just because other people in your family have suffered (I'd be screwed if I did that!). Try to think positively and see where that gets you. I know it's hard… believe you me… but it's got to do you more good if you say to yourself ‘perhaps I'm the exception’ I'd like to think that works anyway!
I'd like to think that works anyway!The OP already said they were depressed. I think if anything, "thinking positively" will have been the first thing they tried when they realised that being depressed wasn't what they wanted.
I studied this at A level and there's little evidence to suggest it's genetic and it's highly likely that depression is caused by environmental factors. Although I personally think it's a little of both but mostly environmental.
Caroline1989
I studied this at A level and there's little evidence to suggest it's genetic and it's highly likely that depression is caused by environmental factors. Although I personally think it's a little of both but mostly environmental.
There's plenty of evidence to suggest it's genetic. Where'd you get that idea from?
Caroline1989
I studied this at A level and there's little evidence to suggest it's genetic and it's highly likely that depression is caused by environmental factors.
No offence, but unless you did the research yourself, there's absolutely no evidence you have to back this up. The OP has provided some compelling statistical evidence (even though it's not proof by any means) and every website I've ever read about depression - and there's a lot, because I have first-hand experience of depression myself - claims that no one really knows whether it's genetic or not, but most experts believe it's a mixture of the two.
Not that you're definitely wrong, but an A-level in... whatever it is you studied... doesn't qualify you as an expert in it. I got an A-level in French, but if I went to France I'd die.
I think there might be a genetic link in some cases, but that is not always the case. I would say it could be either genetic or environmental.
not my forte but i'd have to say my personal view is there is predisposition mixed with life experiences that set it in motion.
everyone gets "depressed" to some degree at many times in their lives. for some it's just being pissed off with the world when they've had a bad week. for others it is a real danger where they basically shut down.
some can rationalise it and maybe have a naturally buoyant and positive character than can lift them out of it after a while but some people just collapse.
everyone gets "depressed" to some degree at many times in their lives. for some it's just being pissed off with the world when they've had a bad week. for others it is a real danger where they basically shut down.
some can rationalise it and maybe have a naturally buoyant and positive character than can lift them out of it after a while but some people just collapse.
Anonymous
What do you think? I know there's a wealth of evidence to support either the nature side of the debate or the nurture side, but considering the facts in this case, is it likely to be genetics?
What do you think? I know there's a wealth of evidence to support either the nature side of the debate or the nurture side, but considering the facts in this case, is it likely to be genetics?
Well, being genetically 'predisposed' to depression can mean a number of things including holding genes that make you extra sensitive to environmental factors. Diet is one very important factor in maintaining a healthy mental state.
generalebriety
The OP already said they were depressed. I think if anything, "thinking positively" will have been the first thing they tried when they realised that being depressed wasn't what they wanted.
I meant to people in general...! Like, don't fear the worst will happen to you. Yesh, you're right. lol. I don't know what I'm talking about really.
Planto
Well considering the connection between depression and chemical imbalance I think it's safe to say there's a genetic connection.
you are wrong... the monoamine theory of depression is controversial...
the main problem is that no one has found any difference the levels of neurotransmitters between someone with depression and those in a normal brain...
the second major problem is that no one has a clue why it takes anti-depressants 2 to 4 weeks to work... there is no reason why they shouldn't work striaght away... this remains a complete mystery...
the third problem with that theory is that many other reuptake inhibitors are not anti-depressants... cocaine is a reuptake inhibitor, i.e. works like other anti-depressants do, and yet it isn't an anti-depressant... in fact it causes depression...
the fourth problem is that atypical antidepressants work do not affect neurotransmitter levels... if the monoamine theory of depression is true then they shouldn't work... but they do...
so no... there isn't compelling evidence that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain... the evidence so far shows that there is no clear physiological explanation for depression and if anything what the evidence shows is that there is no real difference between a brain with someone with clinical depression and someone without it...
i'll leave you guys to come to your own conclusions about genetic predisposition and depression...
The bulk of my information was from my biology book and the research I did online for an essay in practice for my synoptic. Took SNAB A level biology. Learnt a little about neural pathways and synapse, polygenic inheritance, environmental factors twin studies etc.
Not an expert but I thought I’d voice my opinion. Whilst genetics do increase someone’s susceptibility to depression I think the maximum likelihood of suffering depression if you have a heterozygous twin who is a sufferer is around 47%. One time my dad came home from a job feeling ill (he works abroad a lot) and after a month or so my whole family had been sick with the same illness. Does this mean it was genetic? Ok that’s not exactly a great example when talking about depression but you must understand my point. Families are usually exposed to the same environmental factors so it’s difficult to determine how much is down to purely genetics or environmental factors. That’s what I mean for little genetic evidence there might be lots of it online but little of it is controlled to an extent when variables beyond genetics aren’t involved because it’s kind of difficult to obtain.
My educated opinion (inferior that education may be) is despite having a genetic susceptibility towards depression a person can live a depression free life as long as they aren’t exposed to depression triggering outside influences. But a person with no history of depression in their family can still experience depression when exposed to the right environmental factors.
Also one thing I don’t think people have mentioned is spirituality. I dunno it could be ignored completely if you argue that our emotions are ruled entirely by neurotransmitters and to be honest I’m too sleepy to start thinking about that stuff. Sorry for the long post I did try to keep it short and sweet last time. Really hope I didn’t insult anyone. Going away for a couple of weeks in 3-4 hours so wont be able to respond to any replies to this!
Not an expert but I thought I’d voice my opinion. Whilst genetics do increase someone’s susceptibility to depression I think the maximum likelihood of suffering depression if you have a heterozygous twin who is a sufferer is around 47%. One time my dad came home from a job feeling ill (he works abroad a lot) and after a month or so my whole family had been sick with the same illness. Does this mean it was genetic? Ok that’s not exactly a great example when talking about depression but you must understand my point. Families are usually exposed to the same environmental factors so it’s difficult to determine how much is down to purely genetics or environmental factors. That’s what I mean for little genetic evidence there might be lots of it online but little of it is controlled to an extent when variables beyond genetics aren’t involved because it’s kind of difficult to obtain.
My educated opinion (inferior that education may be) is despite having a genetic susceptibility towards depression a person can live a depression free life as long as they aren’t exposed to depression triggering outside influences. But a person with no history of depression in their family can still experience depression when exposed to the right environmental factors.
Also one thing I don’t think people have mentioned is spirituality. I dunno it could be ignored completely if you argue that our emotions are ruled entirely by neurotransmitters and to be honest I’m too sleepy to start thinking about that stuff. Sorry for the long post I did try to keep it short and sweet last time. Really hope I didn’t insult anyone. Going away for a couple of weeks in 3-4 hours so wont be able to respond to any replies to this!
Revenged
you are wrong... the monoamine theory of depression is controversial...
the main problem is that no one has found any difference the levels of neurotransmitters between someone with depression and those in a normal brain...
the second major problem is that no one has a clue why it takes anti-depressants 2 to 4 weeks to work... there is no reason why they shouldn't work striaght away... this remains a complete mystery...
the third problem with that theory is that many other reuptake inhibitors are not anti-depressants... cocaine is a reuptake inhibitor, i.e. works like other anti-depressants do, and yet it isn't an anti-depressant... in fact it causes depression...
the fourth problem is that atypical antidepressants work do not affect neurotransmitter levels... if the monoamine theory of depression is true then they shouldn't work... but they do...
so no... there isn't compelling evidence that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain... the evidence so far shows that there is no clear physiological explanation for depression and if anything what the evidence shows is that there is no real difference between a brain with someone with clinical depression and someone without it...
i'll leave you guys to come to your own conclusions about genetic predisposition and depression...
the main problem is that no one has found any difference the levels of neurotransmitters between someone with depression and those in a normal brain...
the second major problem is that no one has a clue why it takes anti-depressants 2 to 4 weeks to work... there is no reason why they shouldn't work striaght away... this remains a complete mystery...
the third problem with that theory is that many other reuptake inhibitors are not anti-depressants... cocaine is a reuptake inhibitor, i.e. works like other anti-depressants do, and yet it isn't an anti-depressant... in fact it causes depression...
the fourth problem is that atypical antidepressants work do not affect neurotransmitter levels... if the monoamine theory of depression is true then they shouldn't work... but they do...
so no... there isn't compelling evidence that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain... the evidence so far shows that there is no clear physiological explanation for depression and if anything what the evidence shows is that there is no real difference between a brain with someone with clinical depression and someone without it...
i'll leave you guys to come to your own conclusions about genetic predisposition and depression...
Most of what you've said is what I've learnt during second year Medicine at Oxford - not suggesting that makes it "true" by any means, but you've certainly said a lot of what I was going to say about the monoamine hypothesis. However, I'd disagree with your implication (as I see it) that depression doesn't have a physiological basis, just because the monoamine hypothesis is flimsy. The one consistent finding in depressed patients is that they have atrophy of some parts of their brain - too tired to go look up which, but from memory I think it's the hippocampus and frontal lobe? From what I have read and been taught, I believe that scientific opinion is beginning to shift away from the monoamine hypothesis, and towards the theory that the physiological component of depression or a predisposition to depression is death of neurones in certain brain areas. It has been suggested that antidepressants work because they stop that cell death - some studies suggest they even reverse it. Written down like that, it sounds a bit like a deus ex machina to me, but I assume that if these claims are being made in respected textbooks (like Rang & Dale's Pharmacology, which is where I first saw it), there must be some evidence that antidepressants do have that effect.
...But what none of that explains is why cognitive behavioural therapy is, apparently (read: haven't seen the primary literature, am believing what my lecturers have told me, please don't crucify me), the most effective treatment for mild to moderate depression, and antidepressants work far better when given in combination with CBT. I would, then, say that a mix of physiological and psychological factors are responsible for depression. But I don't know how that fits into the idea that I was taught, which is that 80% of depression is "reactive", or triggered by stressful life experiences, and 20% is so-called endogenous depression and is almost purely genetic.
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