At least it's not "The Gay Gene, Bishop of New Hampster"
Posted on 02/25/2006 8:22:24 AM PST by oxcart
IN a world first, researchers from NSW have discovered the gene responsible for depression.
After 25 years' research, scientists have found that people who carry a particular gene are more likely to suffer depression regardless of their life experiences. The medical breakthrough will have major ramifications for diagnosis and treatment of the disease which affects one in four Australians.
The study, to be published in the prestigious British Journal of Psychiatry this week, shows that people who carry a short serotonin transporter gene are predisposed to depression.
Conversely, those who carry a long version of the serotonin transporter gene would be more resilient to whatever life throws at them.
Around 43per cent of the population is believed to carry the short version of the gene.
The breakthrough comes in the wake of a series of recent high-profile cases of depression, including former WA premier Geoff Gallop, the late rugby league legend Steve Rogers and former state opposition leader John Brogden.
Former Australian Olympic swimmer John Konrads and actor Garry McDonald were also sufferers. It is hoped the findings could be used to pre-warn carriers of their susceptibility and take early preventative treatment.
Mr Konrads described the breakthrough as exciting.
"I think it's wonderful to think that people who might have that doubt could confidentially find if they're conducive to depression or not, that would be fantastic," he said.
The serotonin transporter gene, which is responsible for our uptake of "feel good" serotonin and mood control, has been implicated in depression before - but this is the first and most conclusive evidence of its true role.
Oh my you are trying to open a whole can of worms which can only be covered by the 7 deadly sins.
Thanks for the reply, I will check it out. I think I will have some nephews/nieces that will need that book.
Untrue in my experience. Explanation is from another era, the Freud Sophistic, shall we say.
It really helps to put a face on depression. We refer to "it" as the Beast. The Beast will try to keep you from people and things that you love, and the more you withdraw from life, the worse you feel. Hang tough, my friend. :)
LOL
Yeah, it's really depressing news to those who want to wallow in it.
LOL - Cool teapot.
"Do you think that it is a conscious decision..."
I find that decisions are not made consciously at any time. The "consciousness" is aware that a decision has been made, certainly. This "consciousness" is not the actor but the observer, the servant and not the master. This is "true" in as much as any words or language can describe "reality", whatever that word "means".
And yes, every individual personality is completely and utterly responsible for his or her decisions, proclivities, likes and dislikes, lusts and aversions.
They are not, and there's nothing the victims can do about it.
Well, I'll tell you this much. The RATs I work with have had serious depression since 2000 and 2004 put them over the edge. I am talking about the DUmmie suicide watch crowd. I just keep pouring salt into their wounds.
I hope it won't take years and years to develop an anti-depression operation. I have one daughter, who, like her father is bi-polar. Virtually impossible to live with, I kid you not. She's in her 50's now, and constantly goes off her medication when she thinks she no longer needs it.
I pray for her daily, for I cannot begin to imagine how awful life must be to suffer this terrible disease. She has completely separated herself from the family, and only God knows where she might be. And her father used to say it was all my fault!
I've a friend who swears by St. John's Wort.
I'm most surprised it says 1 in 4 Aussies are depressed. Now, I can see how kiving on the bottom of the world could make you depressed, but it seems like a lot.
I find it interesting they can target a gene for depression. I think my Father was always depressed, and I have struggled with it my whole life. My brother certainly was and he more or less killed himself. I figured it was genetic, but I thought it was a combination of factors, not one "Depression Gene."
I found that exercise combined with drug therapy for depression puts me on top of the world. From someone who was withdrawn, angry, feeling persecuted, no control over anything, cryed all the time over nothing...to someone after my family dr. told me I was depressed and prescribed medication and lifestyle changes, I can and do do anything. I walked into my boss' office recently and assertively told her I was way underpaid, walked out with a $2/hr increase. (Prior to that I would just sit and complain to my co-workers). I can carry on a lively conversation with strangers I meet on an elevator or at the checkout line in the store. My husband cannot keep up with the energy I have or the changes I've made. I actually finish projects I set out to do. My kids like me.
Most importantly, I like who I am now and it shows.
I was a fool like so many others believing that I could handle life without treatment. I looked down on others and considered them weak for not relying solely on themselves to have a better life. My family dr. had suggested years ago that I take depression medication and I laughed at him, thinking "what do you think I am?".
When you finally get to your lowest point in life, you realize that it couldn't possibly hurt any worse to at least try.
I am so thankful to him for not giving up on me. I feel so much more in control of my life, and I'm never afraid to smile, or tell someone how great they look today.
If any of you are feeling depressed, talk to your doctor. I never went to see a psychiatrist, just my family doctor. He diagnosed my symptoms as depression and treated it accordingly. Don't let the stigma of being depressed stop you from acting. It will change your life and hopefully only for the better.
Quietly obtain a blood sample and have a lab run the gels.
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