I've come across a very interesting research...
It seems that it is genetically determined whether we are optimistic or pessimistic. The research included a group of 127 people, whose life was monitored for 25 years. The people were asked about major life events and it seems like similar stressful events have different long-term effect on different people. Some of the monitored people were twice more likely to get depressed and some just had natural resistance to depression.
The genetic tests showed that 21% of people have the genotype that predisposes them to depression, 26% of people have the genotype with resilience to depression and 53% of people have a mix of the two genotype.
The research also showed that more often the depression isn't caused by a single event but by a series of events happening during a sufficiently short time period. What is interesting is that it seems that depression is not caused by the negative events themselves, but by how individuals interpret the events.
"The research has some very significant implications," said Professor Wilhelm, who has tracked the people who took part in the research. "Perhaps you could reduce the likelihood of depression amongst those with the vulnerable genotype, by training them up in terms of improving their coping styles and stress responses. Eventually you might be able to better identify those who are likely to be at risk, suggest psychological treatment at times and even work out the best kind of antidepressant to use, if the need arises."
I do consider myself an optimistic person and, hey, it turns out that I have to thank my parents for that. I am so glad that my mother's genes didn't take over my dad's, although he is not generally optimistic.
I've always said that life is not really that bad, it is good actually and it is all up to us how we see it and how we live it. And don't get me wrong here, I feel bad too. But everything happens for a reason and after the rain there always comes the sun. Just look around and you will see...
Smile!
P.S. Very off topic (personal diary)... Bloody monday (24.02.2009)
It seems that it is genetically determined whether we are optimistic or pessimistic. The research included a group of 127 people, whose life was monitored for 25 years. The people were asked about major life events and it seems like similar stressful events have different long-term effect on different people. Some of the monitored people were twice more likely to get depressed and some just had natural resistance to depression.
The genetic tests showed that 21% of people have the genotype that predisposes them to depression, 26% of people have the genotype with resilience to depression and 53% of people have a mix of the two genotype.
The research also showed that more often the depression isn't caused by a single event but by a series of events happening during a sufficiently short time period. What is interesting is that it seems that depression is not caused by the negative events themselves, but by how individuals interpret the events.
"The research has some very significant implications," said Professor Wilhelm, who has tracked the people who took part in the research. "Perhaps you could reduce the likelihood of depression amongst those with the vulnerable genotype, by training them up in terms of improving their coping styles and stress responses. Eventually you might be able to better identify those who are likely to be at risk, suggest psychological treatment at times and even work out the best kind of antidepressant to use, if the need arises."
I do consider myself an optimistic person and, hey, it turns out that I have to thank my parents for that. I am so glad that my mother's genes didn't take over my dad's, although he is not generally optimistic.
I've always said that life is not really that bad, it is good actually and it is all up to us how we see it and how we live it. And don't get me wrong here, I feel bad too. But everything happens for a reason and after the rain there always comes the sun. Just look around and you will see...
Smile!
P.S. Very off topic (personal diary)... Bloody monday (24.02.2009)
