Option #1

[Maddy McKinley]

I was very interested in the article written by Stuart Wolpert. He
wrote that psychologists at UCLA discovered there is a gene which
drives optimism and self-esteem. Both my mom and sister suffer from
depression and severe anxiety, which were diseases mentioned in this
article. They were mentioned because these psychological disorders may
be partially caused by the gene deficiency of oxytocin (the gene
linked to optimism and self-esteem). The psychologists described that
the oxytocin receptor gene has two versions called A and G. After
conducting a large survey and DNA sample, UCLA psychologists decided
that if a person carries more A nucleotides then they are more
susceptible to sensitivity to stress and worse mental health. This
made me wonder if my mom and sister had more A nucleotides, and since
it is a genetic factor, do I have the same amount of nucleotides? As I
read on, I finally recognized material I have learned from chapter
fourteen. Apparently this gene does not completely determine the way
someone responds to stress and it does not mean that if you have this
gene you will definitely develop depression. The article talked about
the importance of social relations which can either help the person
deal with stressful situations and lower chances for disease or it can
worsen a person's mental health if they do not have a good support
system, which enhances the effects of the A nucleotide. People with
the A gene can overcome their depression and can become more
optimistic if they use good coping methods such as meditation, or
aerobic exercise.