I cannot tell you how many times I would hear a patient come in saying that their sister, mother, father or brother were depressed and/or suicidal. “It runs in my family!” The last statistic I read, stated that depression is about 40-50% genetic, however other research has shown that epigenetic and other environmental factors play a big role in the development of depression (Lin & Tsai, 2019). What does this mean??? Do you have the ability to change your genetics? According to epigenetics, yes you do. Epigenetics is defined as “the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way our genes work” (What is Epigenetics, 2020, para. 1). For more of a real-life example, let’s say depression runs in your family, but you are very cognizant of this. So, you take measures in your life to manage your physical health, as well as your mental health like: working out, meditating, eating right, monitoring what you choose to watch/look at and (when you can) who you choose to surround yourself with. Does this mean you will never experience depression? No, but you have worked hard in educating yourself , which may help you mitigate your symptoms. “Epigenetic processes are particularly important in early life when cells are first receiving instructions that will dictate their future development and specialization. These processes can also be initiated or disrupted by environmental factors, such as diet, stress, aging and pollutants” (Epigenetics, 2021, para. 8). Being educated about epigenetics, especially at a younger age, would be very difficult. That is why I think it would be so beneficial for our youth to understand how to take care of their mental health, just like they understand brushing their teeth is good for their physical health. I truly believe we will get there one day.
Below are some great articles, one funny Youtube video and of course a TED talk explaining Epigenetics! I hope this enlightens you as much as it did me!
Epigenetics. (2021, November 16). National Institute of Environmental Health Services. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/science/epigenetics/index.cfm?msclkid=c46c649dd06411ecbc114227b68000be
Lin, E., Tsai, L. (2019). Epigenetics and Depression: An Update. Psychiatry Investigation, 16(9), 654–661. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2019.07.17.2
What is Epigenetics? (2020, August 30). CDC. Retrieved May 10, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/genomics/disease/epigenetics.htm?msclkid=87372a08d0a111ec8d13b2b351e19b47
The Monsters Within 