Depression can be mild or severe, last a few days or a few years, and is more common than many would assume. Verywell Mind describes the symptoms of depression as being: inability to sleep, inability to concentrate, constant fatigue, and recurring thoughts of death or suicide. Another symptom of depression is feeling like you are all alone. But trust us, you are not. Approximately 300 million people worldwide experience depression. Stanford Medicine notes that around 10% of the population in the U.S. will experience major depressive disorder during the course of their life. For many, the source of their depression may be unclear. Which is why the question of depression being a genetic condition or not is a popular discussion. Firstly, there are a few signs that this condition may run in the family if someone has a parent or sibling with major depression: That person likely has two or three times greater risk of developing depression compared with the average person.

抑郁症可以是轻微的，也可以是严重的，持续几天或几年，而且比许多人想象的更常见。Verywell Mind将抑郁症的症状描述为:无法入睡，无法集中注意力，经常疲劳，并反复出现死亡或自杀的想法。抑郁症的另一个症状是感觉自己很孤独。但相信我们，你不是。全世界大约有3亿人患有抑郁症。斯坦福医学院指出，大约10%的美国人在一生中会经历严重的抑郁症。对许多人来说，他们抑郁的原因可能并不清楚。这就是为什么抑郁症是否是一种遗传条件的问题是一个流行的讨论。首先，有一些迹象表明，如果某人的父母或兄弟姐妹有重度抑郁症，这种情况可能会在你的家庭中发生:与普通人相比，这个人患抑郁症的风险可能高出两到三倍。

The likelihood of depression being more usual in some families than others may be the case. However, there is talk of a "depression gene" that doesn't exist. Individuals don't "inherit' depression from their mothers or fathers, relays Stanford Medicine.

抑郁症在某些家庭比其他家庭更常见的可能性可能就是这种情况。然而，有人说“抑郁症基因”并不存在。斯坦福大学医学教授说，个体不会从父母那里“遗传”抑郁症。

Depression is not genetic but it may be a shared condition with other family members

抑郁症不是遗传性的，但可能是与其他家庭成员共有的疾病

Verywell Mind claims depression can develop for a number of reasons including: stress, anxiety, being postpartum, and traumatic events such as a divorce or loss of loved one. If you are noticing or feeling symptoms of depression, "Open up," suggests Rachel Brathen, a New York Times bestselling author, yoga teacher, and Philosophy brand ambassador, to Byrdie. "Sharing how we feel is the most important part when it comes to emotional balance. Pain grows in the dark, so let it out." In addition to finding someone to talk to, Brathen recommends exercise, getting enough sleep, and starting a gratitude journal to keep your mental health at the forefront of your mind.

Verywell Mind声称抑郁症的发生有很多原因，包括：压力、焦虑、产后以及离婚或失去爱人等创伤性事件。纽约时报畅销书作家、瑜伽老师、哲学品牌大使雷切尔·布拉滕(Rachel Brathen)建议，如果你注意到或感觉到抑郁症状，“敞开心扉”。“在情感平衡方面，分享我们的感受是最重要的部分。痛苦在黑暗中成长，所以让它出来吧。”除了找人聊天之外，布拉顿还建议锻炼身体，充足的睡眠，写一本感恩日记，让你的心理健康成为你最关心的问题。

Depression may be more common within some families than in others, but it's not inherited nor is there is a depression gene. If you've tried the DIY remedies listed above and are still feeling low, reach out to your doctor or a medical health professional to discuss different treatment options.

抑郁症在一些家庭中可能比在其他家庭中更常见，但它不是遗传的，也没有抑郁症基因。如果你已经尝试了上面列出的DIY疗法，但仍然感觉情绪低落，请联系你的医生或医疗保健专家，讨论不同的治疗方案。

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline​ at​ 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.

如果你或你认识的任何人有自杀想法，请致电美国国家自杀预防生命热线 1-800-273-TALK(8255)​.