Living with a 22q-related condition can bring many strengths and unique traits, but it can also come with emotional and mental health challenges. Among them, depression is one of the most common yet often misunderstood experiences faced by individuals with 22q11.2 deletion and duplication syndromes.
In this blog, we’ll explore what depression looks like in the 22q community, why it can develop, and most importantly, how we can support individuals with 22q to feel understood, safe, and empowered.
Depression Is Common—In 22q and Beyond
Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the general population. It affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences, including family members and caregivers of individuals with 22q. Parenting a child with complex needs can be emotionally taxing, and many parents experience their own periods of low mood or burnout.
Acknowledging this shared human experience helps reduce stigma and fosters more open, compassionate conversations within families, schools, and communities.
What Is Depression?
Depression is more than just feeling sad or having a bad day. It’s a persistent and often overwhelming sense of low mood, hopelessness, or disinterest in things that once brought joy. It can also affect sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, and even physical health.
For individuals with 22q, depression can present in typical ways, but it may also look different due to overlapping cognitive, communication, and social differences. That’s why it’s important to look beyond the obvious signs and understand the full picture.
Why Is Depression Common in 22q?
Research shows that individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome are at an increased risk of experiencing depression during adolescence and adulthood. Several factors contribute to this, including:
- Biological differences in brain development, which affect emotional regulation.
- Challenges with social cognition, making it harder to connect and maintain friendships.
- Communication barriers, such as receptive language difficulties and alexithymia (difficulty identifying and expressing emotions).
- Stress from medical issues, learning difficulties, and frequent hospital visits.
- Anxiety, which often co-exists with depression and can make it harder to cope day to day.
- Social isolation, which can be both a warning sign and a contributing cause of depression.
The Impact of Life Transitions
Many people with 22q first experience symptoms of depression in late adolescence or early adulthood. This is a time when the structure of school life often disappears, and individuals are expected to take on more independence. For some, this shift can feel disorienting and overwhelming.
They may begin to notice they are not reaching the same milestones as early as their peers, like finishing school, finding work, or forming relationships. It might take longer, or it might look a bit different—and that’s okay. But this growing awareness can still impact self-esteem and increase feelings of exclusion or uncertainty about the future, especially without the right support and understanding.
What Does Depression Look Like?
Recognising depression in someone with 22q isn’t always straightforward. Here are some signs to look out for:
- Withdrawing from friends, family, or favourite activities
- Ongoing tiredness or low energy, even after rest
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Irritability or mood swings
- Feeling worthless, helpless, or expressing guilt
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Frequent physical complaints (like stomach aches or headaches) with no clear cause
- Increasing social isolation, such as avoiding peers, skipping group activities, or refusing to go to school
Some of these signs can overlap with executive functioning challenges, anxiety, or sleep difficulties—all of which are also common in 22q. That’s why a holistic, compassionate approach to understanding behaviour and emotional wellbeing is so important.
What Can Help?
The good news is: depression is treatable. And with the right support, individuals with 22q, and their family members can thrive emotionally and socially.
1. Co-Regulation and Emotional Support
- Build emotional safety by staying calm, validating feelings, and modelling emotional expression. Talking openly about feelings—even when they’re hard—can show your child or loved one that it’s okay to feel sad sometimes.
2. Therapies That Work
- Psychological therapies are a cornerstone of support for people experiencing depression. Two well-researched approaches—Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—have both shown effectiveness in helping people understand their thoughts, manage emotions, and build meaningful lives.
- With the right adaptations, these therapies can also be highly effective for individuals with intellectual disability or communication differences. Visual aids, simplified language, repetition, and concrete examples make therapy more accessible and engaging. These adaptations don’t dilute the impact—they make the support more person-centred and responsive to individual needs.
- CBT focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, helping individuals challenge unhelpful thinking patterns. ACT, on the other hand, helps people make room for uncomfortable thoughts or feelings while still moving toward what matters to them—values, relationships, and growth.
- Therapy that honours both strengths and struggles can make a powerful difference—for individuals with 22q and their families.
3. Behavioural Activation
- This strategy focuses on doing small, meaningful activities—even when motivation is low. The idea is that action can come before mood. For example, going for a short walk, drawing, doing a puzzle, or helping cook a favourite meal. These simple activities help reconnect individuals with things that bring pleasure, achievement, or connection—boosting mood through gentle structure and engagement.
- Start small. Celebrate effort over outcome. And involve the person in choosing activities they enjoy or feel capable of doing.
4. Routine, Connection, and Purpose
- Having a predictable daily structure, meaningful activities, and strong relationships can buffer against depression. Encourage participation, but respect their pace. Address social isolation gently by creating supported opportunities for connection without overwhelming pressure.
5. Professional Support
- Reach out to professionals who understand the unique needs of people with 22q. A psychologist or psychiatrist familiar with neurodevelopmental conditions can offer guidance, and in some cases, medication may be considered as part of a broader support plan.
- And remember: support for caregivers matters too. Your wellbeing impacts your child’s wellbeing. Don’t hesitate to seek support for yourself.
You’re Not Alone
If you’re a parent or caregiver, watching your child struggle with depression can be incredibly hard. But you don’t have to face it alone.
Reach out to your community. Family and friends play an important role in providing support but so can support and community groups.
At 22qMinded, we believe in creating a compassionate community where emotional wellbeing is prioritised. Through tailored programs like Feelings in Focus, coaching, individual therapy, and educational workshops, we help families understand and support emotional and mental health in the context of 22q.
Final Thoughts
Depression can be invisible, but with understanding, support, and care, healing is possible. Keep asking questions. Keep showing up. Keep advocating.
Because every person with 22q—and every person who loves them—deserves to feel seen, supported, and hopeful.
Want to learn more about emotional wellbeing and 22q?
Visit www.22qminded.com/blogs, sign up for a webinar, or reach out for personalised support by emailing hello@22qminded.com.
Together, we can build a more supportive world for the 22q community.
