If I Am Depressed, How Likely Is It That My Children Will Develop Depression As Well?
Dr. Weissman answers the question: 'Can I Pass On Depression To My Children?'
— -- Question: If I am depressed, how likely is it that my children will develop depression as well?
Answer: If you're an adult with depression, the probability that your children will develop depression is about three times as high as if you weren't depressed and had no depression.
So we say it is about a two- to three-fold increased risk. If you have a depression that began before the age of 20, that risk in your children goes up to four- or five-fold.
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