Is your anxiety/depression nurture or nature?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 1:03 am

I'd say nurture more than nature. We all have the propensity and have been created to get stressed, but it's how we react to it that makes the difference and what has driven us to come to the program. Had we been taught to handle the stress when younger we wouldn't be confused and lost about our anxiety.

Everyone on the planet gets stressed, but not everyone knows how to deal with it.

Yet, the cortisol theory is interesting. Out of my three pregnancies, the middle one was the easiest and I have a very laid back middle child.

Ms. T LOL about getting the cortisol from dad.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 2:24 am

I would think that there is definitely a genetic predisposition to having anxiety and depression. If there wasn't, then you wouldn't expect it to run in families. However, there is also clearly a behavioral component too, otherwise all the stuff we're learning in this program wouldn't work. If we had learned this information as children, we'd all probably have dealt much better with our symptoms if we even had them at all. So in summary, my answer is both.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 2:34 am

Steve
I think it's both. I think we are predisposed to the stuff from our parents like I know I cannot have any kind of alcohol since my Dad was an alky and when I did drink in the past I was easily addicted. I also found out that on my Mothers side My Grandmother and a few Aunts and now a few Cousins all have panic disorders and depression. I think it was very likely that it was learned behaviors and coping methods but there also was something passed on genetically too. So yes BOTH. And in both cases it's a PAIN IN THE (bleep)
:p

Jill~

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:02 am

Steve, this is a very good topic..thanks for sharing..I too, believe it's both. both of my parents are on some form of anti-depression meds. And I have certainly experienced some environmental stressors in my life time.

I am so thankful for this program, as I DO believe that it has helped tremendously..and in turn, brought me closer to God.
Blessings~
Robin

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 9:50 am

If I look at my father, he has never admitted it but being an anxiety sufferer myself now I can pic up he has it but has never admitted it, he is old skool and that type of thing is not cool with his age group 60+, I mean they are real men, You get the idea

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:04 pm

Both of my folks are rather uptight (or used to be). That would be nurture for me ! I think nature plays a big part of it too. As far as environmental.....traffic jams, other people's attitudes rubbing off on me, maybe pollution, the economy, etc etc. that would be nature for me too.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Sep 20, 2009 1:41 am

Some good points - in this stagnant economy it is easy to face some of the nature stressors...