Frequently Asked Questions - Genetics of Recurrent Early-Onset Depression Study
What will happen if I choose to participate?
(1) The first step is to go through a screening interview to see if the study is a good match for you. The interview takes place over the phone and is approximately 30 minutes long.
(2) If the research team determines that the study is a good fit for you, we will mail you some paperwork to enroll you in the study.
Once we receive this paperwork back you will officially be enrolled in the Genetics of Recurrent Early-Onset Depression research study.
(3) Next, we will schedule a phone interview with a clinical psychologist. This interview takes approximately two hours.
(4) You will be asked for consent for us to obtain treatment summaries from doctors or therapists (if any) you have seen for depression. We would be happy to discuss any concerns you might have about why we ask for records and about how we protect your privacy.
(5) After your interview, we will help you coordinate the blood draw. It can be done at a local hospital, lab, or doctor's office, or we have a mobile service that can come to your home.
Once we receive the blood sample your participation will be complete.
Will I have to stop taking my medications?
No. We are not a treatment study, so we do not ask you to change your treatment regimen in any way.
Can I enroll in the study even if I don't live near any of the participating sites?
Yes! We can coordinate the study so that you never have to travel at all. The interview takes place over the phone, and the blood sample can be drawn by your local clinic or by a mobile service that we can send to your home.
Is this study confidential?
Yes. Your identity will be kept as confidential as possible as required by law. (For details on this, please contact a research assistant.)
Can you give me personal genetic results?
No. In this kind of study, genetic data from thousands of people must be combined to look for patterns of genetic variation that predispose to a condition like depression. We do not currently know how to interpret individual results. We are required by the National Institute of Health not to share individual results with the participants. Scientists who work with the genetic results will not have any identifying information about the participants.
Do I have to be experiencing depression currently to participate?
No. Your eligibility is related to your lifetime history of depression, not whether you are experiencing depression right now.
Does a family member have to be involved as well?
No. We may ask if your family members are willing to participate by providing additional information or a blood sample, but this is not a requirement for participation.
Do I have to pay for the blood draw?
No. The lab, hospital, or mobile service can all bill us directly.
