Is Depression Genetic?

Chances are, you know someone with depression. It’s a common mental health condition that can affect your mood, thoughts, and behavior. And, every year, it affects nearly 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. 

If you have a close family member with depression, you may have wondered: Could I be at risk for depression too? After all, many health conditions run in families. And when it comes to depression, we know that your genes definitely play a role.

But, in reality, it’s not so simple. Apart from your genetics, there are many other factors that affect your risk — like your physical and mental health, your brain structure, and your life experiences. And even if depression does run in your family, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get it too. 

Let’s take a closer look at what we know about the genetics of depression, as well as other risk factors that matter. 

Is depression genetic?

Yes — at least partially. 

So far, there’s evidence that many different genes are linked to depression. These genes can be passed down from parents to children, meaning depression can be inherited. In other words, depression can run in the family. 

But when it comes to depression, it’s not quite so simple. Though genes are important, they’re not the whole story. Other things matter too. 

Here’s what we know so far about depression and genetics. 

Heritability

When scientists study genetic disease, they look at something called “heritability.” Heritability tells us how much of a condition is passed down through genes. 

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Some health conditions have a high heritability. This means they’re mostly caused by genetics. For example, cystic fibrosis is a condition that’s caused by inheriting certain genes from your parents. Its heritability is 100%, which means it’s completely genetic. 

Other health problems have a low heritability. The stomach flu, for example, is directly caused by germs — not genes. Its heritability is 0%. 

Depression is somewhere in the middle. The heritability of depression is about 40% between first-degree relatives. This means if you have a close family member (like a parent or sibling) with depression, your chances of getting it are higher than someone whose family doesn’t have it. But since it’s only partially hereditary, it’s also possible you’ll never get depression — even if it runs in your family. 

Polygenic nature of depression 

Depression also seems to be connected to many different genes, not just one or two. Researchers call this a “polygenic” condition (which means “many genes”). Though each gene has a small effect, when they add up it can raise your risk of having depression. 

Gene-environment interaction and depression

Your genes can affect your risk of getting depression. But other things matter, too, like your environment and life experiences. Scientists call this a “gene-environment interaction,” which simply means your genes and your life experiences affect each other. 

Ongoing genetic research

Researchers are still investigating genetics and depression. New tools like machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are making it easier to study huge amounts of genetic data from thousands of people. This can potentially help us find genetic patterns linked to depression. 

What are other risk factors for depression?

As we mentioned above, depression isn’t caused by any one single thing. It’s linked to many different factors. 

Other risk factors include:

• Brain biochemistry: There are chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters, which regulate many brain functions. Some examples are serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The balance of these neurotransmitters can make depression more likely for some people.

• Sex: Women are more often affected by depression than men.

• Personality: People with certain personality traits may be more likely to have depression than others. For example, people who naturally feel angry, anxious, or self-conscious (traits of what’s sometimes called “neuroticism”) may be more at risk for depression.

• Chronic stress or trauma: Different types of stress throughout your lifetime can affect your mental and physical health. There's some evidence that high levels of stress hormones may contribute to depression.

• Illnesses: Scientists have shown that increased inflammation in the body, seen in conditions like autoimmune disease, may play a role in causing depression. 

• Chronic pain: Depression is common among people with chronic pain. This is partly due to the ways chronic pain affects many different parts of people’s lives. But chronic pain can also affect neurotransmitters and brain functions that may lead to depression. 

Of course, even if you have many of the above risk factors, it’s important to remember that risk factors don’t equal diagnosis. Even if you have a lot of risk factors, it’s possible that you’ll never develop depression. 

What should I do if I think I may be depressed?

Common symptoms of depression include:

• Feelings of sadness, guilt, or worthlessness

• Changes in sleep and appetite

• Loss of pleasure in life

• Fatigue or low energy

• Physical restlessness or slowness

• Difficulty concentrating

• Thoughts of death or suicide 

If you’ve been noticing these changes, consider reaching out to a healthcare professional. This is especially important if you’ve had symptoms for more than 2 weeks. A professional can diagnose you with depression, if appropriate. They can also rule out other medical conditions that may be affecting the way you feel. And they can point you toward the right treatment. 

If you or a loved one has been having thoughts of suicide, get help right away. You can call 911 or go to the emergency room. Or you can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.

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Written by:

Kelly Elterman, MD

Kelly Elterman, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist by the American Board of Anesthesiologyand has been practicing clinically since she finished her residency training in 2013. Along with her training, she has over 10 years experience in anesthesiology.

Edited by:

Sophie Vergnaud, MD

Sophie Vergnaud, MD, is the Senior Medical Director for GoodRx Health. An experienced and dedicated pulmonologist and hospitalist, she spent a decade practicing and teaching clinical medicine at academic hospitals throughout London before transitioning to a career in health education and health technology.

Reviewed by:

Sarah Gupta, MD

Sarah Gupta, MD, is a licensed physician with a special interest in mental health, sex and gender, eating disorders, and the human microbiome. She is currently board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.

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