Each one of us has some risk for becoming depressed. For some the chance might be remote, while for others it can be almost inevitable.

我們每個人都有一定程度的抑郁風險。對于有些人來說，機會很小；對于另一些人來說幾乎不可避免。

We all have our own vulnerabilities for depression, based on our life experiences, health conditions, substance use, and genetic predisposition. A person's risk for becoming depressed at some point in his or her life ranges from low to high, based upon the interaction of all of these factors.

對于抑郁，我們都有各自的薄弱點，這些可能和人生經歷、健康情況、物質濫用和遺傳易感性有關。在這些因素的共同作用下，一個人一生中的抑郁風險有高有低。

A good general way to think of the factors that lead to depression is with the two-hit hypothesis. This model suggests that people become depressed when the effects of their genetic composition—which itself puts them somewhere on a scale of low-to-high likelihood of eventually developing depression—combine with stressful life experiences.

采取“兩步假設法”可以從宏觀上了解這些因素是怎樣導致抑郁的。這個模式認為，在基因組成（其本身也對產生抑郁影響有高低之分）和充滿壓力的生活的共同作用下，人們就抑郁了。

Even those individuals with a low genetic tendency for depression can become depressed when they experience extreme stress. On the other hand, people with strong genetic predispositions may become depressed without experiencing much stress. Naturally, the people with both high stress and strong genetic predispositions are the most likely to have a depressive disorder.

即便一個人抑郁的遺傳傾向程度低，但是處于極度壓力下的時候，這人也會抑郁；同樣，抑郁的遺傳傾向程度高的那些人，即使沒處于壓力環境中，也可能抑郁。自然地，那些高壓力、高(遺傳)基因易感性的人患抑郁癥的可能性最大。

While the two-hit hypothesis is useful conceptually, making predictions for particular individuals is still a challenge. For example, because of their psychological characteristics, people respond to stress in different ways. Plus, the genetics of depression is not as simple as something like eye color.

雖然這“兩步假設法”理論上行得通，可是要預測特定個體，依然是一個挑戰。例如，心理特征不同的人對壓力的反應不同。另外，抑郁的基因可不像決定眼睛顏色的基因那么簡單。

What stressful conditions might contribute to someone developing depression?

有哪些充滿壓力的環境能讓人們抑郁呢？

* emotional or physical abuse, especially when it continues over long periods

身心虐待，尤其是長期的

* sexual abuse

性虐待

* emotional and physical neglect

情緒或身體被忽視

* chaotic home environment

混亂的家庭環境

* chronic illnesses, especially during childhood

慢性疾病，尤其是在兒童時期

* substance abuse, including alcoholism

物質濫用，包括酗酒

* chronic insomnia and sleep deprivation

長期失眠和睡眠剝奪

How can stress early in life affect mood and brain functioning later on? There are several theoretical possibilities. One is that stress hormones influence the development of key areas of the brain related to mood and emotions.

人生早期的壓力對隨后的情緒、大腦運作有何影響？有一些理論對此進行了解釋。其中一個理論認為壓力荷爾蒙會影響和情緒、情感有關的關鍵大腦區域的發育。

Is there a depression gene?

有一種“抑郁基因"嗎？

The genetics of depression are complex and not yet fully understood. A single depression gene locus has not been found; rather, several sections of the genome have been identified that are associated with a higher probability of having depression.

有關抑郁的基因研究很復雜，還沒有被人們完全了解。尚未找到一個單一的抑郁基因位點；不過，已經發現一些基因組，它們和較易導致抑郁

You are at higher risk for depression if ...

下面的情況出現時，出現抑郁的風險更大......

* you have had significant difficulty due to depression in the past

抑郁曾為你帶來巨大的困擾

* depression runs in your family, especially in close blood relatives

有抑郁家史，尤其是近親中

* you have been exposed to chronic stressful circumstances

長期處于壓力大的環境中

If you think that you are at high risk for depression, you should be alert for early signs of any symptoms of a mood disorder and you should then talk with your mental health specialist about possible treatments. Early treatment can have both short- and long-term benefits.

如果你認為自己是以為高抑郁風險者，那么對任何情緒紊亂的早期癥狀都要警覺，和心理健康專家探討如何治療。及早治療會帶來短期和長期的好處。

Of course, if you already have severe depressive symptoms, then seek help right away. If you are feeling suicidal, talk with someone about it immediately and consult your doctor, or else get to an emergency room fast.

當然，如果你已經有嚴重的抑郁癥狀，那么應尋求正確的幫助。如果你感到有自殺傾向，立刻和某個人說一說，咨詢你的醫生，或迅速前往急診室。

Consider, too, the risks of your family and friends. You might play an important role in helping them get early treatment to prevent worse symptoms in the future.

同樣，要考慮家人和朋友的抑郁風險。在幫助他們及早治療、預防惡化的過程中，你可能會起到重要的作用。