Genetic Predisposition for Depression?

I've often been struck by how prevalent depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, addictions, etc are in the extended families of clients suffering from one or more of the above. From a purely non-scientific observational basis, I've conjectured that somehow mood disorders may be a genetic trait passed on from generation to generation. Today I came across an article from Science Daily that suggests new and overwhelmingly supported research that identifies a connection between a gene and an individual resilience to painful emotional traumas. University of Michigan researchers found, "The U-M analysis supports previous findings that individuals who had a short allele on a particular area the serotonin gene had a harder time bouncing back from trauma than those with long alleles." This news may be very welcome to individuals suffering from depression on anxiety for a couple of reasons. Firstly, this illuminates the possibility for more effective medical treatment and prevention for mood disorders. While there are scores of folks who take medications currently available and have great success with these pills, there are many others who are unable to tolerate side effects or simply do not gain as positive effects from the meds as others. And secondly, it could prove a relief to some people that their suffering may have a biological foundation. Many people dealing with depression or anxiety feel powerless and ashamed at their inability to control their own emotions. To those on the outside, it's easy to wonder why one's loved one isn't able to just "snap out of it." The depressed individual is left feeling judged not only by others but by him or herself. Effective self-soothing and coping skills that come so easily to others simply may not be as accessible to individuals suffering from depression due to differences in genes. Clearly more research is needed and we're a ways off from being able to take practical measures to prevent or treat mood disorders from a genetic level, but it's a heartening start!

Resurrecting the So-Called 'Depression Gene': New Evidence That 

Our Genes Play a Role in Our Response to Adversity

ScienceDaily (Jan. 4, 2011) — University of Michigan Health System researchers have found new evidence that our genes help determine our susceptibility to depression.

Their findings, published online in the Archives of General Psychiatry, challenge a 2009 study that called the genetic link into question and add new support to earlier research hailed as a medical breakthrough.

In the summer of 2003, scientists announced they had discovered a connection between a gene that regulates the neurotransmitter serotonin and an individual's ability to rebound from serious emotional trauma, such as childhood physical or sexual abuse.

The journal Science ranked the findings among the top discoveries of the year and the director of the National Institute of Mental Health proclaimed, "It is a very important discovery and a real advance for the field."

To read the rest of the article, click here.