Apollonia was diagnosed with major depressive disorder five years ago. She knows her mother took medicine to combat depression and she worries her daughter will experience depression too. Why?
a) Apollonia also suffers from social anxiety disorder.
b) Mood disorders are more likely to occur in younger people.
c) Mood disorders have been shown to have a strong genetic and biological basis.
d) People who grow up with a depressed parent usually become depressed themselves.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is c) Mood disorders have been shown to have a strong genetic and biological basis.
Explanation: Mood disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), have a strong genetic and biological component. This means that there is a higher likelihood for individuals to experience depression if they have a family history of the disorder. Studies have shown that depression can be passed down from parent to child, not just through learned behaviors or environmental factors, but due to inherited genetic factors that influence brain chemistry, hormonal balance, and other biological processes. If Apollonia’s mother had depression, it suggests that there could be a genetic predisposition that Apollonia might inherit, making her more susceptible to experiencing the disorder herself.
While environmental factors also play a significant role in the development of depression, such as stressful life events, trauma, or childhood adversity, the genetic link is significant. This is why Apollonia might be particularly worried about her daughter developing depression—because the risk of mood disorders is higher in individuals who have a family history of such disorders. Researchers have identified multiple genes that are involved in the regulation of mood and stress, but environmental triggers and the individual’s coping mechanisms are also important factors in determining whether depression develops.
The other options, while they may have some relevance to depression, do not directly address the genetic link:
- a) Social anxiety disorder may be comorbid with depression but isn’t a direct cause of depression itself.
- b) Although depression can occur at any age, it is not more likely in younger individuals as a general rule.
- d) While it is true that children of depressed parents may have an increased risk of depression, it is not guaranteed that they will develop it. Genetics, environment, and personal resilience all play a role.