Predisposition to Depression

You may know that Depression is a serious mental illness that is usually caused by a chemical imbalance of serotonin in the brain. However, did you know that Depression is hereditary and that you can already be destined to become depressed if certain events in your life spark it? It's true. You may have Depression and not even know it. You may be thinking that if you feel fine and you are generally happy, there is no way that you could have Depression. Only part of that is true, you may not be actively depressed but you still may have the chemical imbalance that could cause you to fall into Depression.

The term that is used for someone who can become depressed but may not have Depression at a given time is, predisposition. Depression usually hits a person when life throws a curve ball. This person may have a harder time handling the stressful event and start to feel hopeless, helpless, sad and then start losing interest in things that they used to enjoy. Not to say that others will not have the same reaction to the same tragic event, but they will have an easier time bouncing back. For those with Depression, it may take medication with a combination of counseling to start feeling better. Medication will actually correct the imbalance in the brain of a depressed individual.

Medication and counseling may help but sometimes time is the true healer. I have worked as a counselor for many years and I have told my clients many times that medication is just a helper. If someone dies that is close to you or some other tragic event happens, no amount of medication is going to make that go away. Counseling and mourning will in time work. There is no magical cure for Depression. It's something you have to work through in your whole life. But it IS something you CAN work through.

Finally, just because you are predisposed to Depression doesn't mean that you will definitely have Depression. Your Depression symptoms may be mild and you may only need minor help with getting over your symptoms such as exercise. So just because your aunt Suzy was depressed doesn't mean that you are destined to have it too. It's just important to keep it in mind when you go through a rough patch in life. If you feel that you are having trouble coping then contact your healthcare professional to be evaluated. For more information on Depression, take a look at this article written by me, Are You Or Someone You Know Depressed?