The simple test was developed and published in 2000 by Myrna Weissman, PhD, a professor of epidemiology in psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center, in New York City, and the director of the Division of Epidemiology at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, and her colleagues.
People who have a family history of depression have long been known to be at greater risk of the mental illness themselves, probably for both genetic and environmental reasons, Weissman says. “The reason that I developed that instrument is because I think that family history is one of the most important predictors of outcome,” she says. “The family history scales that were available were very lengthy and they weren’t suitable for just ordinary screening.”
Weissman thinks doctors in general practice should use the test. All too often, physicians ask about family history of cancer, heart disease, or diabetes, but not mental illnesses that can have a serious impact on all facets of life, she says.
“People who are depressed don’t do well in school, don’t do well in their work, and they often don’t do well in their marriages and interpersonal relationships, and those things have a whole cascade of effects,” she says.
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Comments (5)
this is some solid advice for people suffering from a very common disorder
excellent advice Robert Carl Parisien Natick MA
I found a cool Iphone app called Sad Scale. It screens plots and emails your depression score.
This is a great article emphasizing the importance of family history of depression and bipolar disorder.
We have a great tool at http://www.MentalHealthFamilyTree.org that helps you uncover your family history.
If you are worried about this, pelsae talk to somebody. If you’re good at hiding your true feelings, there’s a chance that nobody knows how you feel, and it’s not good to keep those feelings bottled up. Whether you talk to your parents, another relative, a friend, or a school counselor, it’s good to talk to someone. It sounds to me like you want to talk to somebody, and I know it can be scary, but the fact that you’re reaching out to us shows that you are ready to reach out to those around you, whether you realize it or not. I know what it’s like to hurt people, and I wish I would have talked to somebody sooner. Even if you think you’re just hurting yourself, that it turn hurts those that care about you, that’s how I hurt my family and friends. Just because nobody in your family has anything like this, doesn’t mean that you don’t. Just like if somebody in your family did have something it wouldn’t mean that you would too. I know it can be harder if you’re family doesn’t understand, but I know that you can do it.