09 Jul Disney Might Not Be Everybody’s “Happiest Place on Earth” Part Two

It’s now been two years since my last depressive episode; I finally got my treatment support from a physician and I started to feel better after we found the right medication for my body chemistry. But now I have some concerns about my nine-year-old son. He is acting a lot like I used to — constantly moping around and not hanging out with his friends anymore. I am scared that I have made him depressed. After all, I was really distant when he was younger since I felt so empty on the inside. Now that I feel better, I am really scared for my son. I don’t know how to help him. What do I do?

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Depression has a strong genetic component. It’s heritability means that the genetic predisposition for depressive symptoms can be passed on from mother to child. According to research conducted at Stanford University School of Medicine, the chance that your child will experience depressive symptoms is two to three times higher if you are diagnosed with depression as compared to children whose parents do not have depression. Depression’s ability to be inherited has been shown with multiple studies making it a genetic disorder.

A study conducted at Drexel University showed that if you are experiencing depressive symptoms there is a good chance your child is as well. For the family above, the mother received treatment for her depressive symptoms which provided the insight needed to see that her son was experiencing some of the same symptoms that she had. This is because depression is not only due to environmental influences but also genetics.  The combination of both a genetic predisposition and a low energy household is enough to trigger a depressive episode in children. In short, the son is predisposed to depression but he also lacked a nurturing and positive environment in his childhood, causing his depressive symptoms to become more prominent. Obtaining medical help for both you and your child is the key to improving your lives. Call the Institute for Advanced Medical Research today at 770-817-9200 to get more information about how you can take control of your or your child’s symptoms.