I am primarily interested in this subject because since I was a little kid I have always loved science, biology, chemistry, and physics. I had a chemistry set and microscope when I was 8 years old.

I have major, severe, recurrent, cyclical, treatment resistant depression. In my case I think the dominating factor is genetics and biology. I have had depression for 37 years and have been treating it for 20 years. I have many valid reasons for thinking that in my case it is primarily genetic and biological. I have explained my reasoning many times in these forums and I can elaborate here if you want. I think for many people with mental illness genetics and biology play a role. Not all people. I know there are all kinds of causes for different people. I am just talking about genetics here.

I have never thought that meant I was doomed and it was no use. I just never thought about it that way. I have been aggressively treating it in every which way for twenty years yet I still keep getting them in the same regular patterns. In recent years much worse. For the last nine months I have been doing great because of the meds I am on. I go to therapy and do all the other things I have always done but I could very much tell within two weeks that the Fetzima was working like a miracle. Lifted straight up out of a very severe depression.

Anyway this is just a list of articles I have saved that I have read on the topic if anyone is interested in reading them. There is a growing body of evidence and since the Human Genome Project and the fact that they can sequence a person’s whole genetic code cheap and quick now it is easier to study. Genetically modified mice make things easier to study. I think there will be huge advances in figuring out the human brain in the next ten years.

No particular order-

Stem Cells Reveal How Illness-Linked Genetic Variation Affects Neurons - 08/18/2014

Common Genetic Variation Big Risk Factor for Alcoholism, Mental Illness - Addiction Treatment | Elements | Drug Rehab Treatment Centers

5 Major Mental Illnesses Traced to Same Genetic Variations | Psych Central News

http://www.journalofpsychiatricresea.../abstract?cc=y

NIMH · New Data Reveal Extent of Genetic Overlap Between Major Mental Disorders

http://www.schizophrenia.com/research/hereditygen.htm

GenRED - Major Depression and Genetics - Genetics of Brain Function - Stanford University School of Medicine

Genetic Switch Involved in Depression - NIH Research Matters - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Depression Research - Psych Central

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2011/05May/Pa...ion-found.aspx

What causes depression? - Harvard Health Publications

New gene for bipolar disorder discovered -- ScienceDaily

Bipolar Disorder, Genetics, and the Brain :: DNA Learning Center

Schizophrenia and Manic-Depressive Disorder: The Biological Roots of Mental ... - Google Books

Cambridge Journals Online - Psychological Medicine - Abstract - Autism as a strongly genetic disorder: evidence from a British twin study

NIMH · Five Major Mental Disorders Share Genetic Roots

http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/v45...l/ng.2711.html

https://www.nimhgenetics.org/

Genetic Mental Illnesses | DNA and Mental Illness | Psychiatrist in Scottsdale

Mental Illness: The Challenge of Dual Diagnosis

First Blood Test to Diagnose Depression in Adults: Northwestern University News

Clear New Insights into the Genetics of Depression - Scientific American

Massive Study Reveals Schizophrenia's Genetic Roots - Scientific American