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.

我们每个人都有一定程度的抑郁风险。对于有些人来说，机会很小；对于另一些人来说几乎不可避免。

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.

对于抑郁，我们都有各自的薄弱点，这些可能和人生经历、健康情况、物质滥用和遗传易感性有关。在这些因素的共同作用下，一个人一生中的抑郁风险有高有低。

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“两步假设法”可以从宏观上了解这些因素是怎样导致抑郁的。这个模式认为，在基因组成（其本身也对产生抑郁影响有高低之分）和充满压力的生活的共同作用下，人们就抑郁了。

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.

即便一个人抑郁的遗传倾向程度低，但是处于极度压力下的时候，这人也会抑郁；同样，抑郁的遗传倾向程度高的那些人，即使没处于压力环境中，也可能抑郁。自然地，那些高压力、高(遗传)基因易感性的人患抑郁症的可能性最大。

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.

虽然这“两步假设法”理论上行得通，可是要预测特定个体，依然是一个挑战。例如，心理特征不同的人对压力的反应不同。另外，抑郁的基因可不像决定眼睛颜色的基因那么简单。

What stressful conditions might contribute to someone developing depression?

有哪些充满压力的环境能让人们抑郁呢？

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

身心虐待，尤其是长期的

* sexual abuse

性虐待

* emotional and physical neglect

情绪或身体被忽视

* chaotic home environment

混乱的家庭环境

* chronic illnesses, especially during childhood

慢性疾病，尤其是在儿童时期

* substance abuse, including alcoholism

物质滥用，包括酗酒

* chronic insomnia and sleep deprivation

长期失眠和睡眠剥夺

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.

人生早期的压力对随后的情绪、大脑运作有何影响？有一些理论对此进行了解释。其中一个理论认为压力荷尔蒙会影响和情绪、情感有关的关键大脑区域的发育。

Is there a depression gene?

有一种“抑郁基因"吗？

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.

有关抑郁的基因研究很复杂，还没有被人们完全了解。尚未找到一个单一的抑郁基因位点；不过，已经发现一些基因组，它们和较易导致抑郁

You are at higher risk for depression if ...

下面的情况出现时，出现抑郁的风险更大......

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

抑郁曾为你带来巨大的困扰

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

有抑郁家史，尤其是近亲中

* you have been exposed to chronic stressful circumstances

长期处于压力大的环境中

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.

如果你认为自己是以为高抑郁风险者，那么对任何情绪紊乱的早期症状都要警觉，和心理健康专家探讨如何治疗。及早治疗会带来短期和长期的好处。

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.

当然，如果你已经有严重的抑郁症状，那么应寻求正确的帮助。如果你感到有自杀倾向，立刻和某个人说一说，咨询你的医生，或迅速前往急诊室。

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.

同样，要考虑家人和朋友的抑郁风险。在帮助他们及早治疗、预防恶化的过程中，你可能会起到重要的作用。