Many children who have parents with a mental illnessare worried that they will inherit the same disorder. There is also the case where an adult with the mental illnessis worried that they will pass on their disorder to their child. However, it is important to remember that while many traits are passed on our personality and temperament are not inherited. Rather, we learn how to react to situations from our parents because we are constantly observing them. Therefore, if you have a parent who suffers from sever bouts of depression, it does not mean that you will face the same fate. You can fall into depression if you are taught from a young age that depression is the appropriate reaction to situations rather than dealing with the problem in a healthier way. Also remember that there are time in your life when you might feel depressed or have a hard time coping with changes and this may have absolutely nothing to do with a family history and more to do with the situation so make sure that you seek the right help.
If you, yourself are thinking of having children and you suffer from any kind of mental disorder, you need to make sure that you do not raise your child to have the same reactions that you have. The most important thing that you or a loved one suffering from a mental health illnessis to seek treatment. If there are medications that you can take to make sure that you do not relaspe into depressive states then it would be wise to take the medications. You should also seek counseling as a way to deal with any mental health issues. Remember that children learn from example and you do not want to have your children learning bad habits from you. If you or a family member suffers from a mental illenss there is a better likelihood that you or your children will develop a mental disorder simply because you are exposed to the environment so often.