12 Questions You’ll Want to Ask Your Parents Before It’s Too Late

Have you ever been depressed?

If your family tree is a weeping willow, this could provide vital information for your own mental health. In recent years research has confirmed a genetic link in many thought and mood disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, impulse control issues, and schizophrenia, says Mayra Mendez, PhD, LMFT, a licensed psychotherapist and program coordinator for mental health services at Providence Saint John’s Child and Family Development Center in Santa Monica, California. “Don’t be afraid to ask your parents honest questions about their and other relative’s mental health,” she says. If they don’t respond well to terms like “depression” try asking in a more general way about whether they ever had a time when they felt sad a lot, had a hard time leaving the house, or were very angry, she adds. Find out what your mother’s health says about you.