Depression | Depression Information

Question: Is anxiety/depression genetic?

(Posted by: Caity on 2010-03-14 14:12:48)

My grandmother, mother and sister all suffer from anxiety and depression. I've always been a really happy person but the past few years I have become really anxious and I think I slip in and out of shallow depressions. I don't think I have a serious problem now but I'm afraid as life gets more stressful I might. Is it genetic or conditional?

Posted by: perfection on 2010-03-14, 14:18:08

I think it's genetic because despite constant probing from health professionals, there is nothing in my life that could have caused me to develop severe anxiety and panic disorder. I was always a very happy and outgoing person until I started having panic attacks for no reason. I had a happy and privileged childhood. I later found out that agoraphobia has affected most of my relatives on one side of the family, not including my parents. Hey, just because you feel a bit anxious now it does NOT mean you will go on to develop a full blown anxiety disorder!

Posted by: A on 2010-03-14, 17:08:52

Studies have shown a genetic component in the development of depression and anxiety, but they can also be conditional. It's different in every case, but it sounds like this may be worth pursuing with a professional.