Posted on: October 5, 2020 Posted by: Aaron_George Comments: 0

Mental health conditions are complex, and many things can cause issues such as depression. There is a belief that genetics do play a role in some cases; however, this isn’t true for everyone who has or will suffer from depression. Often, environmental factors can be contributors to the problem, such as difficult home life, or external pressures from peers or academic performance. There may also have been an incident that has caused trauma, resulting in depression amongst other potential difficulties like anxiety, for example. Below are some points that will touch upon how genetics may contribute to depression, as well as what else could cause it.

Genetic Links

Depression is quite common, so it wouldn’t be that surprising to learn that one or more relatives would have suffered from it at one time or another. A study into depression and genetics conducted by scientists in the UK found that the chromosome 3p25-25 was present in 800+ families that dealt with recurrent depression. This suggests that there is a link between genetics and depression and could play a part in adolescents developing it. However, the study also suggests that genetics only made up 40% of cases of depression, where other factors made up 60%.

Lifestyle Factors

The living environment of your teenager could also be playing a part in contributing to their depression. For example, there might be tensions in the home due to a struggling parental relationship, or financial concerns. Or perhaps there is a sick relative that the family is worried about? These high-stress factors can lead to feelings of despair and depression and are often overwhelming. In addition to this, poor diet and fitness levels could be physical strains that are leading to mental struggles.

Peer Pressure/Bullying

A very common contributing factor for depression in adolescents can be due to struggles with their friends and peers at school. They might be feeling pressured to take part in activities they are not comfortable in, such as sex, drugs, or alcohol consumption. Alternatively, they could have become a target for bullies, or falling out with their friends has led to harmful behavior being exchanged. These situations can lead to low self-esteem and depression if they continue.

Traumatic Experiences

Depression can also be a symptom of another problem, such as PTSD. Whether it’s the result of sexual or physical abuse, a traffic accident, or the loss of a loved one, all these things can result in post-traumatic stress. If your teenager has been through any of these situations or something similar, look at getting them treatment for depression and anxiety, or look into specific counseling for trauma.

Hormones and Chemical Imbalances

Finally, another common contributor to depression in teenagers can be because of their changing hormones. As their body transitions from childhood to adult, these changes can affect their moods, and often feelings of depression can arise. This might pass as they get older, but you might want to speak with your doctor about medications or other treatments that could help.

Genetics could be a contributing factor to your teen’s depression, but many other things might be affecting. Either way, there is a wide range of treatment options available to help them cope with their depression effectively.

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