Is Depression/Annnxiety from the Bullshit You Experience or are You Prone to it?

[rexbeccarox]

I reckon I'm genetically vulnerable to depression. Almost my whole family suffers from it. I think it can probably affect anyone given enough stress, but some people get it more easily and indeed sometimes for no particular reason.

My first bout of depression was the culmination of being emotionally ground down by my parents until I had nothing left. The second was when I got ME, and since that's a situation that's not going away, I'm going to be fighting depression possibly forever now. There is a small chance it may go away eventually. After seeing a wonderful therapist I am coping better than ever before at the moment though.

That's an interesting thing: the idea that it might go away. I've had more than a dozen therapists over the years and I can't remember even one of them indicating my depression might go away. That's a really good thought, Rob. I've just never thought to consider it. Maybe they never mentioned it to me because they don't think, in my particular case, that it's feasible. I really wish you tons of luck.

[robvalue]

Thank you so much, I appreciate it

Yeah, if my ME does somehow clear off, or if I continue to manage to cope well, I feel like there's a chance. The "real me" is still in here.

I wish you all the best too, I really hope the depression eventually leaves you alone. You never know how things may change in the future. One thing my therapy has taught me is that things don't stay the same, so how we feel now isn't how we'll always feel I'm always here if you need to talk.

[Jackalope]

I reckon I'm genetically vulnerable to depression. Almost my whole family suffers from it. I think it can probably affect anyone given enough stress, but some people get it more easily and indeed sometimes for no particular reason.

My first bout of depression was the culmination of being emotionally ground down by my parents until I had nothing left. The second was when I got ME, and since that's a situation that's not going away, I'm going to be fighting depression possibly forever now. There is a small chance it may go away eventually. After seeing a wonderful therapist I am coping better than ever before at the moment though.

That's an interesting thing: the idea that it might go away. I've had more than a dozen therapists over the years and I can't remember even one of them indicating my depression might go away. That's a really good thought, Rob. I've just never thought to consider it. Maybe they never mentioned it to me because they don't think, in my particular case, that it's feasible. I really wish you tons of luck.

Could happen. Your ability to cope with it can improve to the point where it's no longer the anchor on your life that it has been. I've had symptoms go into remission, and I've learned to cope with them when they do occur. The root causes of my PTSD aren't going away, you know?

[brewer]

That's an interesting thing: the idea that it might go away. I've had more than a dozen therapists over the years and I can't remember even one of them indicating my depression might go away. That's a really good thought, Rob. I've just never thought to consider it. Maybe they never mentioned it to me because they don't think, in my particular case, that it's feasible. I really wish you tons of luck.

Could happen.  Your ability to cope with it can improve to the point where it's no longer the anchor on your life that it has been.  I've had symptoms go into remission, and I've learned to cope with them when they do occur.  The root causes of my PTSD aren't going away, you know?

Ever heard of the rule of thirds or quarters when it comes to mental health/illness? Not sure if it applies to PTSD. Applied most often to schiz and bipolar/depression.

1/3 get better with no treatment or treatment is temporary, 1/3 get better with treatment, 1/3 never get significantly better even with treatment.

1/4 get better with no treatment or treatment is temporary , 1/4 get better with treatment but continue to have significant lapses, 1/4 get better with treatment with no/few lapses, 1/4 never get significantly better even with treatment.

Treatment is not necessarily lifetime.

[Jackalope]

I have heard that and it seems reasonable. I'm not sure I would classify myself as "better" - where "better" is a proxy for "no longer needs treatment". I don't take meds routinely any longer (for PTSD or the comorbid bipolar disorder), but I have been in regular therapy for seven consecutive years (this time around). Therapy is more or less what keeps me on the tracks.

[Jackalope]

P.S. it's also my belief that the efficacy of therapy is significantly affected by the attitude of the patient (ie. a patient who doesn't see value in therapy and doesn't put in the work isn't going to benefit from it).

[Edwardo Piet]

Isn't most stuff both?  I mean, it seems like most illnesses, mental or otherwise, comes from a combination of genes and environment.

QFT

I think personality disorders might be the only exceptions, they often tend to be more environmentally caused?

[Edwardo Piet]

Sure, it can be situational too, like right now I have no life goals, and so it's very hard getting motivated to do anything.  So it can be both.

Same here. To be honest if I could get back the motivation I had before I first had a major breakdown, I would be soooooooo happy.

I would be just so grateful to have that ambition and drive again.

Sadly with me this is what's the case:

After being mentally unwell knocked my confidence, self-esteem and motivation while I went through depression, anxiety and delusional manic experiences due to stress: Even after I'm now off meds and that's all recovered, I still haven't got my confidence, self-esteem and motivation back

I used to be so full of life before I went through all this shit for 7 years.

Still can't complain too much, many people's experiences on this thread are worse than mine, and many people have full-time mental illnesses that they need treatment and medication for for a lifetime... and according to my latest psychiatrist... I don't have that - I'm just vulnerable to stress and now I want my motivation back.

So, I'm still grateful... I'd just be even more grateful and appreciative if I had my motivation back.

[Aroura]

Isn't most stuff both?  I mean, it seems like most illnesses, mental or otherwise, comes from a combination of genes and environment.

QFT

I think personality disorders might be the only exceptions, they often tend to be more environmentally caused?

Actually, studies show (most) personality disorders are THE most heritable mental issue after schizophrenia.  More than 40% (some studies show as high as 58%) of people with personality disorders have a parent with the same disorder.  They are extremely genetic.

So no.  It's still genetic + Environment.  Of course, environment is a huge factor, particularly in how severe the disorder might become, I think.

[Jackalope]

More than 40% (some studies show as high as 58%) of people with personality disorders have a parent with the same disorder.

On the surface, this doesn't seem to indicate that it's inheritable and not environmental. (e.g. I grew up with my father, it would be surprising if I didn't emulate him in many ways, even if we weren't directly related). Now, if the parents were absentee, that would be more definitive.