It Is Heartbreaking to Inherit Depression - Ways to Avoid It

Depression is one of the most common mental health problems in the United States. As per the

latest statistics released by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), approximately 16

million adults suffered at least one major depressive symptom in 2014.

A number of studies conducted across multiple generations have established that depression is

highly familial. Individuals whose parents and grandparents suffered from depression are three

times more likely to experience major bouts of depression during their lifetime. Psychiatrists also

believe if parents have experienced any symptoms of depression before the age of 20 years, their

children’s risk to develop the disease may increase four to fivefold.

Those in the high-risk

group also have to

deal with the

associate stigma,

which in turn

aggravates their

condition by

initiating a vicious

circle of despair and

dejection. This

association between

depression and

family history has

raised the question

whether depression

can be passed on to

generations just like

heart disease and diabetes.

Helping children from families with a history of depression

Children who are genetically vulnerable to depression constitute the high-risk group. Parents of

children who are predisposed to depression must ensure that they consult a mental health

professional before their children manifest any symptoms of depression. It is incumbent on

adults with a history of depression and other mental health problems to educate themselves

about related symptoms in children in order to identify and cope with such conditions, if

necessary.

A 2015 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry tried to analyze the effects of

treating mother’s depressive symptoms on her child’s well-being. There are higher odds that

depressed mothers would provide less care and attention to their children due to their ongoing

mental battles. Such an environment can be stressful and nerve-racking for the children during

their early years. The only possible remedy to handle such a situation is to treat the mother for

depression. The welfare and well-being of the child is directly linked to the mental health of the

mother.

Learning coping strategies to deal with depression

Depression is a treatable disease, but the treatment may vary from one individual to the other.

There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to mental disorders. Here are some tips to help a

person lead a stress-free life:

Taking healthy diet: Unhealthy food could aggravate one’s existing mental illness. Moreover,

it could create obstacles on the road to recovery. Deficiency of vitamin B is generally associated

with depression.

Doing daily exercise: Moderate exercise on a regular basis can work wonders to improve the

mood and can influence the way depressed people feel about themselves.

Getting sufficient sleep: Insufficient sleep can drastically affect someone’s physical and

mental well-being. Sleep-related problems may trigger or contribute to depression. It is widely

observed that insomnia is a major outcome of depression.

Sharing problems: Sharing problems with someone trustworthy is an effective therapy in

itself. It is an effective way to offload anything that seems to be a burden on the mind.

Avoiding stressful situations: Stress is useless as it can have a negative impact on the mind

causing depression and other mental health disorders. There could be times where avoiding

stress becomes impossible, but there is always a way to minimize the impact.

You are not destined to be depressed

While these depressive disorders are still being studied, thankfully there are ways to deal with

them so that one may continue to live a normal life. Many people have been using a combination

therapy that involves medication and psychotherapy for regular mental illness. Seeking

counseling and professional help can treat depression in an effective way.

The Depression Treatment Centers of California is an empathetic resource for patients needing

therapists. Our representatives will guide you to get the best depression treatment facilities in

California. To start the journey to recovery, call us today at 855-678-0400.

For more information, please visit

www.depressiontreatmentcentersofcalifornia.com