One of your parents is depressed and you worry if you will one day be affected? Conversely, do you know that you have this point of fragility and you worry about your child? Rest assured: depression is not a hereditary disease strictly speaking. On the other hand, family history should not be ignored and may call for a vigilanceparticularly in the event of warning signs, in particular in adolescence.
Is depression hereditary?
Studies show that there is a link between depression et heredity.
This risk may be even higher in certain severe forms or early.
A hereditary vulnerability
According to some works, heritability would be estimated between 30 and 40%. “To arrive at these estimates, scientists rely on several types of studies. research on twinsfor example, compare the identical twinswho share almost 100% of their DNA, to fraternal twins, who share only about half. A stronger similarity of disorders in the former suggests a genetic influence. THE adoption studies They allow us to distinguish between heredity and family environment,” explains Dr. Lucie Joly.
This means one essential thing: this is not a direct transmissionbut of a genetic vulnerability. For Doctor Lucie Joly, “it is a more general vulnerability in the face of mood disorders”.
Several genes involved in functional disturbances
Contrary to some preconceived ideas, there is no no single gene depression, but combination of variants involved in thebrain activity. “The systems of neurotransmitters like the serotoninthe dopamine or the norepinephrine are regularly observed,” specifies expert Lucie Joly. “The functioning of the axis of stresswhich regulates the body’s response to difficult situations, can also be disrupted,” she adds. mood circuits are also involved.
What is depression?
Depression corresponds to the occurrence of at least one major depressive episodeaccording to the criteria of DSM-5. Furthermore, a person whose one parent has suffered from a major depressive episode has a higher risk of being depressed than the general population.
But genetics is far from the only cause of the disease
Depression is a multifactorial disease. It is based on the interaction between:
- of the genetic factors ;
- of the psychological factors ;
- and environmental factors.
“A tendency toward anxiety, low self-esteem or pessimistic thought patterns can increase vulnerability, particularly when combined with trying life events,” explains psychiatrist Lucie Joly. We are talking about bio-psycho-social model.
In many cases, a life event acts as a trigger: grief, rupturejob loss, isolationfamily conflict, abuse, harassment… Certain more specific periods of life, such as pregnancy or postpartum, can also play a role. In case of maternal depression If left untreated, early interactions with the child may be disrupted, with a possible impact on their emotional development.
But it’s not automatic. For psychologist Alexandre Choukroun, depression is more linked to a problem of alignment: “It is not so much about preventing depression as it is about being attentive to yourself. Asking yourself if you are in agreement with your life, and having the courage to ask for help if necessary.”
“Finally, advances in epigenetic show that our experiences, particularly early stress, can modify the expression of certain genes, blurring the boundary between innate and acquired,” adds Lucie Joly. In summary: you can have a predisposition without ever developing depression.
Symptoms: how to recognize hereditary depression?
If there is a family history, it may be useful to know THE symptoms of depressive disorder . The signs will not necessarily be the same as those of the parent concerned and above all, they do not mean that a similar trajectory is taking shape. The issue is therefore less about “monitoring” than about remain alert to a possible break with one’s usual state. The key criterion remains duration: symptoms present for more than 15 daysassociated with a discomfort in everyday lifeshould encourage consultation.
In a family context, the risk is sometimes to overinterpret certain signals or, on the contrary, to trivialize them. Hence the importance of relying above all on one’s personal developmentand not a comparison with the parent concerned.
Depression occurring in a family context will not necessarily be more severe than another. On the other hand, a early diagnosis allows you to avoid the aggravation et relapseswhich remain frequent (more than half of cases after a first episode).
Untreated depression: what are the consequences for my child?
Beyond genetics, depression can also mark the family environment.
For the child, this has a significant impact: “He perceives this distance, this lack of availability, and this is part of the relationship. communication may be impaired and certain emotional benchmarks weakened,” she adds.
Growing up with a parent suffering from depression sometimes exposes you to:
- a emotional instability ;
- a form of insecurity ;
- and feeling of guilt.
Some children, on the contrary, can adopt a “parent” role et grow fasterby developing an apparent solidity. This does not mean, however, that they will not encounter difficulties in adulthood, partly linked to this period. It is for this reason thatsupport is important.
Should you hide your chronic or resistant depression from your child?
Experts recommend a nuanced approach. Better to explain with suitable words than leaving the child in misunderstanding. The objective:
- prevent him from feeling responsible ;
- reassure him on the situation;
- maintain a secure framework.
There is no need to go into intimate or heavy details about his condition. Certain comments, particularly around a possible disappearance or a risk to one’s own life, can be particularly anxiety-provoking for a child and revive fears of abandonment. The issue is therefore to protect the child emotionally : say things, without dramatizing them, insisting on the fact that the adult is supported and that solutions exist.
How to take care of yourself for family well-being?
The depression treatment (psychotherapy and sometimes antidepressant drug treatments) plays a protective role. Taking care of yourself is not just about getting better for yourself. It is also preserve family balance.
The intervention of a psychiatrist and/or psychologist may be necessary: “In depression, the person often loses hope. This is precisely when support is essential,” adds Alexandre Choukroun. In other words, the procedures are often difficult due to loss of vital momentum, but they are essential.
And introspection work can also be recommended: “depression can be a form of signal: it invites us to ask ourselves the question of whether what we are experiencing is in line with our deep aspirations”, according to Alexandre Choukroun.
Furthermore, the environment plays an important role for the child when the parent can no longer cope: “The presence of other support figures (a other parentof the grands-parentsloved ones) can constitute essential anchor points and partly compensate for the difficulties,” concludes Alexandre Choukroun.
