I was actually surprised about the sibling type bond that developed between my 15-year-old birth son and our newly adopted 15-year-old daughter many years ago. They began to cover for each other and stick up for each other, just like any life-long siblings.

Now that our daughter is 24, all of our children are very attached to her, even the seven-year-old who was just a year when she moved out on her own. She makes a point not to miss anything they invite her to such as church plays, award ceremonies and graduations.

Why is it then, that some children raised together, with the same birth parents, can’t develop a close relationship? Is the lack of sibling relationships an early indicator of depression? Alternatively, is lack of a significant bond with a sibling a cause of depression? Does being close to a sibling help you develop coping skills?

Researchers began studying 229 when they were teenagers up until they were in their 50’s. What they found was, those who said they didn't have a close relationship with at least one of their siblings, were probably depressed by the time they were 50. Factors taken into consideration in the study were the men's quality of life, their relationships with their siblings, the quality of parenting they received, and family history of depression.

Everybody feels sad, unhappy, or miserable sometimes but when it continues, sometimes for months and causes disruptions in your daily functioning, it is depression. Quite often depression runs in families whether from learned behavior, heredity or both.

Isolation tends to make a person more vulnerable to physical and mental illness. Common causes of depression are disappointments, insomnia, prolonged or extreme stress, death of a loved one, abuse, or neglect. However, healthy relationships help to alleviate depression and tend to prevent its recurrence.

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(C) Julia Fuller 2006