---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Your genes may be causing your blues! We…"
description: "\"“Your genes may be causing your blues! We now know depression runs in families and chemical changes in the brain coincide with clinical depression. Med..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2a/joni-e-johnston-psyd-250135_clinical-depression_your-genes-may-be-causing-your-blues-we_2731607.jpg"
---

#  Your genes may be causing your blues! We now know…

![“Your genes may be causing your blues! We now know depression runs in families and chemical changes in the brain coincide with clinical depression. Medications, psychotherapy, and other treatments can adjust these changes and chase depression away.” quote by Joni E. Johnston PsyD](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2a/joni-e-johnston-psyd-250135_clinical-depression_your-genes-may-be-causing-your-blues-we_2731607.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2a/joni-e-johnston-psyd-250135_clinical-depression_your-genes-may-be-causing-your-blues-we_2731607.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2a/joni-e-johnston-psyd-250135_clinical-depression_your-genes-may-be-causing-your-blues-we_2731607.jpg)

> ““Your genes may be causing your blues! We now know depression runs in families and chemical changes in the brain coincide with clinical depression. Medications, psychotherapy, and other treatments can adjust these changes and chase depression away.””

Joni E. Johnston PsyD

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Depression can be inherited and linked to brain chemistry; treatments like medication and therapy can modify these factors.

**In simple terms:** Depression runs in families, but treatment helps.

Key Takeaway

Seek professional help for mood issues.

Themes

mental health depression genetics treatment

Mood

concerned hopeful

Type

Clinical depression:1 Depression:1 Family:1 Mental health:1 Depression Runs:1 Causing Blues:0 Depression Medications:1

When to use this quote

- clinical assessment
- family counseling
- medication management

Key Concepts

neuroscience psychotherapy pharmacology

Questions to Reflect On

- What lifestyle changes support recovery?
- How to choose effective therapy?

A Different Perspective

Treatment may not work for everyone.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Clinical depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clinical-depression/) [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Family](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/family/) [Mental health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-health/)

## Related quotes

> [He wondered if this was what clinical depression felt like, a total numbness, a weary lack of hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/he-wondered-if-this-was-what-clinical-depression-felt-like-a-total/)

[Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/)

> [Clinical depression passes but it's tough, it's very tough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-fricker/clinical-depression-passes-but-it-s-tough-it-s-very-tough/)

[Brenda Fricker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-fricker/)

> [When I was hospitalized in 1992 with severe clinical depression I thought I was the only one. I didn't know of one other Christian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-walsh/when-i-was-hospitalized-in-1992-with-severe-clinical-depression-i/)

[Sheila Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-walsh/)

> [My mother told me she thought I had clinical depression when I was 19 years old. And I thought, you're crazy because, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cord-jefferson/my-mother-told-me-she-thought-i-had-clinical-depression-when-i-was-19/)

[Cord Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cord-jefferson/)

> [“innumerable studies have demonstrated that depression runs much higher in people who have low cholesterol.22”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-perlmutter/innumerable-studies-have-demonstrated-that-depression-runs-much/)

[David Perlmutter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-perlmutter/)

> [I'm not always 'Dominick Cruz, Tough Guy.' Depression runs in my bloodline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominick-cruz/i-m-not-always-dominick-cruz-tough-guy-depression-runs-in-my-bloodline/)

[Dominick Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dominick-cruz/)

> [Depression runs on my mother's side.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fearne-cotton/depression-runs-on-my-mother-s-side/)

[Fearne Cotton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fearne-cotton/)

> [Depression runs in my family on both sides, and I have to be wary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/depression-runs-in-my-family-on-both-sides-and-i-have-to-be-wary/)

[Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/)

> [I have battled clinical depression and have come out of the other side. I've been free of it for many years now. Finding the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-have-battled-clinical-depression-and-have-come-out-of-the-other/)

[Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/)

> [A lot of people don't realize that not everybody gets high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-ringwald/a-lot-of-people-don-t-realize-that-not-everybody-gets-high/)

[Molly Ringwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-ringwald/)

> [Colors are important. People are in clinical depression whether they are on medication or not. Neutrals are another form of medication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-stoddard/colors-are-important-people-are-in-clinical-depression-whether-they/)

[Alexandra Stoddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-stoddard/)

> [Others imply that they know what it is like to be depressed because they have gone through a divorce, lost a job, or broken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-redfield-jamison/others-imply-that-they-know-what-it-is-like-to-be-depressed-because/)

[Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/)

> [This might be controversial, but sometimes I think that being happy is a decision. I don't mean that in a way to diminish clinical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-arnett/this-might-be-controversial-but-sometimes-i-think-that-being-happy-is/)

[Will Arnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-arnett/)

> [“Depression ... involves a complete absence: absence of affect, absence of feeling, absence of response, absence of interest. The pain you feel in the course…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-t-welch/depression-involves-a-complete-absence-absence-of-affect-absence-of/)

[Edward T. Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-t-welch/)

> [“Today, our view of genuine reality is increasingly clouded by professionals whose technical expertise often introduces a superficial and soulless model of the person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-kleinman/today-our-view-of-genuine-reality-is-increasingly-clouded-by/)

[Arthur Kleinman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-kleinman/)

## More Clinical depression quotes

> [“Today, our view of genuine reality is increasingly clouded by professionals whose technical expertise often introduces a superficial and soulless model of the person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-kleinman/today-our-view-of-genuine-reality-is-increasingly-clouded-by/)

[Arthur Kleinman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-kleinman/)

> [He wondered if this was what clinical depression felt like, a total numbness, a weary lack of hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-lehane/he-wondered-if-this-was-what-clinical-depression-felt-like-a-total/)

[Dennis Lehane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-lehane/)

> [Clinical depression passes but it's tough, it's very tough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-fricker/clinical-depression-passes-but-it-s-tough-it-s-very-tough/)

[Brenda Fricker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-fricker/)

> [Colors are important. People are in clinical depression whether they are on medication or not. Neutrals are another form of medication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-stoddard/colors-are-important-people-are-in-clinical-depression-whether-they/)

[Alexandra Stoddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-stoddard/)

> [A lot of people don't realize that not everybody gets high.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/molly-ringwald/a-lot-of-people-don-t-realize-that-not-everybody-gets-high/)

[Molly Ringwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/molly-ringwald/)

> [When I was hospitalized in 1992 with severe clinical depression I thought I was the only one. I didn't know of one other Christian…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-walsh/when-i-was-hospitalized-in-1992-with-severe-clinical-depression-i/)

[Sheila Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheila-walsh/)

> [My mother told me she thought I had clinical depression when I was 19 years old. And I thought, you're crazy because, you know,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cord-jefferson/my-mother-told-me-she-thought-i-had-clinical-depression-when-i-was-19/)

[Cord Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cord-jefferson/)

> [I have battled clinical depression and have come out of the other side. I've been free of it for many years now. Finding the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evangeline-lilly/i-have-battled-clinical-depression-and-have-come-out-of-the-other/)

[Evangeline Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evangeline-lilly/)

> [Others imply that they know what it is like to be depressed because they have gone through a divorce, lost a job, or broken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-redfield-jamison/others-imply-that-they-know-what-it-is-like-to-be-depressed-because/)

[Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/)

> [This might be controversial, but sometimes I think that being happy is a decision. I don't mean that in a way to diminish clinical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-arnett/this-might-be-controversial-but-sometimes-i-think-that-being-happy-is/)

[Will Arnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-arnett/)

> [“Depression ... involves a complete absence: absence of affect, absence of feeling, absence of response, absence of interest. The pain you feel in the course…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-t-welch/depression-involves-a-complete-absence-absence-of-affect-absence-of/)

[Edward T. Welch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-t-welch/)

> [“Learned helplessness is a common cause of clinical depression in people who perceive they have no control over the outcomes of their life situations.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janae-b-weinhold/learned-helplessness-is-a-common-cause-of-clinical-depression-in/)

Janae B. Weinhold

> [“That dead-eyed anhedonia is but a remora on the ventral flank of the true predator, the Great White Shark of pain. Authorities term this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/that-dead-eyed-anhedonia-is-but-a-remora-on-the-ventral-flank-of-the/)

[David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/)

> [I speak of a clinical depression that is the background of your entire life, a background of anguish and anxiety, a sense that nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/i-speak-of-a-clinical-depression-that-is-the-background-of-your/)

[Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/)

> [“It is a level of psychic pain wholly incompatible with human life as we know it. It is a sense of radical and thoroughgoing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/it-is-a-level-of-psychic-pain-wholly-incompatible-with-human-life-as/)

[David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/)

[Browse all 44 Clinical depression quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clinical-depression/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Your genes may be causing your blues! We now know depression runs in families and chemical changes in the brain coincide with clinical depression. Medications, psychotherapy, and other treatments can adjust these changes and chase depression away.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Joni E. Johnston PsyD"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-e-johnston-psyd/your-genes-may-be-causing-your-blues-we-now-know-depression-runs-in/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Clinical depression"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-e-johnston-psyd/your-genes-may-be-causing-your-blues-we-now-know-depression-runs-in/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2a/joni-e-johnston-psyd-250135_clinical-depression_your-genes-may-be-causing-your-blues-we_2731607.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2a/joni-e-johnston-psyd-250135_clinical-depression_your-genes-may-be-causing-your-blues-we_2731607.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b2a/joni-e-johnston-psyd-250135_clinical-depression_your-genes-may-be-causing-your-blues-we_2731607.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Your genes may be causing your blues! We now know depression runs in families and chemical changes in the…” — Joni E. Johnston PsyD",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Joni E. Johnston PsyD",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-e-johnston-psyd/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Your genes may be causing your...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-e-johnston-psyd/your-genes-may-be-causing-your-blues-we-now-know-depression-runs-in/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-e-johnston-psyd/your-genes-may-be-causing-your-blues-we-now-know-depression-runs-in/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```