Is clinical depression genetic? Who is most affected by clinical depression?

Clinical depression can be genetic. If it runs in the family, there is a high probability of fallen into it.

Who is most affected by clinical depression?

Reports show that 5% of adults, mostly women, suffer from depression. Most times, depression leads to suicide.

What Is Clinical Depression?

Clinical depression, commonly referred to as major depressive disorder (MDD), is a mental illness whereby a person remains in a depressed mood for about two weeks, while showing signs of low self-esteem, and less interest in daily activities.

Clinical depression is usually diagnosed from reports of the person’s past experiences, and behavior. In other words, laboratory tests are not conducted.

Most cases of clinical depression occurs from the early adulthood like age 20 with females being the most affected.

Sometimes the disorder could last for a lifetime with “recurrent major depressive episodes.”

Clinical depression can be treated with psychotherapy and antidepressant medication.

In cases of self-neglect or where the depressed person has the tendency to harm himself or other people, the person may be hospitalized

If all these measures fail, then electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be considered as the next option.