Dr. Myrna Weissman answers the question: 'Genetics Testing For Depression Risk?'
Are There Any Genetic Tests That Can Tell Me My Risk For Becoming Depressed?
Question: Are there any genetic tests that can tell me my risk for becoming depressed?
Answer: At this point, there is no biological genetic test, there's no imaging that we can do that will really tell us your risk for getting depressed.
The best way, the best test, is to ask whether your parents were depressed, and whether you're going through a life stress -- then the probability of being depressed is markedly increased. For your children, if either parent, mother or father were depressed, there's about a three-fold chance of the child becoming depressed or anxious, and especially after adolescence.
Related
But at the moment, the best is a verbal inquiry by a knowledgeable clinician.
Next: Are There Any Medical Conditions That Increase My Risk Of Developing Depression?
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