I completely agree with the statement that depression is "inherited". Its pretty obvious to others whether we respect ourselves or how we feel about ourselves. Just in body language, tone and choice of words, we portray how we feel about ourselves. So I think that if you watch a parent give off that aura your whole life combined with the fact that it really is a chemical imbalance, yes I believe it's inherited.

As with other traits from parents - it seems like we either follow the same path or do the opposite. A young boy watching his father verbally abuse his mother might think that's okay or might hate it and never talk that way to a woman. Mine has gone the opposite. I watched my parents fight and scream so I avoid confrontation if possible. I would rather go in the bathroom and cry alone than get into a fight with someone I care about. Which is good because I don't fight a lot, but also bad because I realize that it has made me a doormat to others. The best is to find a happy medium - whether that exists or not, I'm not sure.