Depression and Parental Age

by Anna
(Highland Park, NJ)

Photo Credit: Pete Stott

My dad and I both have been diagnosed with clinical depression and bipolar disorder. His parents were 26(mother) and 42(father) when he was born; mine were 37 and 40, respectively. My sister is happy and well-adjusted, with no signs of depression; our parents were 27 and 30 when they had her. Does parental age at conception affect a child's chances of becoming depressed?