Research states that one of the major risk factors for depression is whether a family member has it, meaning that yes, depression is genetic. However, that’s not the full story: developing depression involves a confluence of genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, personality, and a host of other factors.

What Is Depression?

Depression is a chronic condition affecting a person’s feelings, thinking, and daily tasks, typically marked by persistent sadness or low mood and disinterest in previously enjoyed activities. It can cause a variety of physical and emotional complications, often leading to isolation, problems with work or school, and relationship issues.

Depression comes in different types, each with unique symptoms and lengths. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common diagnosis when someone thinks about “clinical depression,” featuring depressive episodes lasting two weeks or more. Other types like persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), postpartum depression, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) also greatly affect someone’s quality of life.

Is Depression Genetic?

Yes, depression has a major genetic component. Research suggests that if you have a first-degree relative with depression, your risk of experiencing the disorder may be about two to three times higher than someone without a similar family history. Heritability appears to be especially influential in cases of more severe depression.¹

However, having a genetic predisposition to depression doesn’t guarantee you’ll experience it. Instead, it means you might be more susceptible to the condition in the presence of certain environmental stressors.

Here’s a closer look at how genetics and environment interact:

• Genetic variability: Multiple genes are involved in shaping our risk for depression, each contributing a small amount to the overall risk profile.
• Environmental triggers: Stressful life events, trauma, and substance use can activate the underlying genetic risk.
• Protective factors: Positive relationships, coping strategies, and treatment interventions can mitigate genetic risks.

Is There a “Depression Gene?”

There isn’t one single depression gene like there are for certain conditions such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell anemia. Instead, there are several genetic components that can increase someone’s likelihood of developing depression.

Researchers in 2021 determined 178 gene variants that were associated with the onset of depression symptoms.² Additionally, a large review from 2022 pinpointed seven distinct genes that corresponded to the development of depression.³

Other Non-Genetic Risk Factors for Depression

While genetics certainly plays a large role in the development of depression, other factors can then “trigger” a depressive episode for someone who is already predisposed. This is why we consider all the elements of someone’s life that might be contributing to their depression when developing a comprehensive care plan.

Several factors can raise the risk of depression, including:

• Stressful life events: The death of a loved one, a divorce or breakup, moving, losing your job, or any other stressful events can trigger a depressive episode.
• Personal history: A previous history of mental health concerns makes them more likely to return.
• Brain chemistry: Deviations in brain chemical production, like serotonin and norepinephrine, can cause depression symptoms.
• Personality: Some people are just more vulnerable to depression, especially if they have personality traits like low self-esteem or being overly critical of themselves.
• Chronic illnesses: Diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease often cause depression.
• Substance use: Alcohol or drug misuse can worsen or trigger depression.
• Giving birth: Postpartum depression is incredibly common as hormones fluctuate and parents adjust to having a new child.

Understanding these risk factors is key, not just for those seeking help but also for their loved ones. Recognizing triggers and causes can help create a supportive environment that fosters healing and resilience, ensuring people get the help they need to combat depression.

Will Everyone in My Family Develop Depression?

No, even if your family inherited a genetic predisposition for depression, that doesn’t mean that everyone will have depression. As mentioned earlier, the more risk factors someone experiences the more likely it is that they’ll end up developing depression, whether or not genetics are involved. Even then, genetic inheritance is quite complex, and even someone from a family with a history of depression may not develop it, even when experiencing stressors or triggers.⁴

Additionally, upping your protective factors, like healthy diet and exercise, close relationships, and keeping stress levels at bay can reduce your risk of depression, even if you have a genetic predisposition.⁵

Do Genetics Influence Depression Treatments?

Historically, there hasn’t been a great way to test whether someone’s genetics makes them a good fit for certain medications. However, pharmacogenetics, involving testing someone’s DNA to see how certain medications could impact them, is starting to become more widely available. These tests don’t guarantee the efficacy of the medication(s), but can help a psychiatric professional determine a potential direction for medication and other treatment options.⁶

Can Depression Be Cured?

Depression is different for everyone. For someone with a more “situational” cause for their depression, like losing their job, getting out of that situation could alleviate their depression symptoms (e.g., finding a new job). However, for many, depression may never be fully “cured.” Instead, someone could learn how to cope with symptoms, go on medications to find relief, and make lifestyle changes that encourage a healthier mind and body, overall boosting their chance for keeping depression at bay. In clinical terms, we call this “remission,” when symptoms have dissipated but someone still has a history with the condition.

It should never be seen as a “failure” if depression symptoms return after a time of relief or remission. That’s a normal part of the condition for many, so if you feel symptoms returning that could be a good time to talk with your doctor and mental health care team about what you might need to keep symptoms under control.

How Can Depression Treatment Help?

Effective depression treatments combine psychotherapy, medication, lifestyle changes, and sometimes, interventional treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy or Spravato®. They tackle depression’s genetic and environmental causes:

• Talk therapy: Techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teach coping skills and change negative thoughts.
• Medication management: Antidepressants help improve how mood-related brain chemicals function, easing symptoms for many.
• Lifestyle changes: Regular exercise, good nutrition, and stress management can improve mental health.
• Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS): A drug-free option for those with difficult-to-treat depression, TMS involves magnetic stimulation of brain areas that are underperforming due to depression and typically has few side effects.
• Spravato® nasal spray: A form of esketamine that has been FDA approved for hard-to-treat depression, Spravato® works quickly, often relieving certain depression symptoms within hours.

Connect With NEHS & Start Depression Treatment in Massachusetts Today

Regardless of what “caused” or triggered your depression, you deserve a comprehensive treatment plan. If you’re ready to take the next step in your mental health journey, you can schedule your first appointment or talk to a knowledgeable intake professional by calling 508.794.8711. For existing clients looking for more care options, find your office location and contact them directly.

Footnotes:

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6065213/
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8404304/
3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9232544/
4. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/depression/#inheritance
5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032724005433
6. https://blogs.cdc.gov/genomics/2022/03/15/assessing-pharmacogenetic/