Dear Dr. G,
I think this is for the most part, true. But—1) There are people who have been through horrific experiences—terrible families (even narcissistic!), holocaust/genocide, crippling illnesses, who somehow remain hopeful and positive., and 2) in situations where there are identical twins raised apart, if one twin has experienced major depression, the odds are 50% that the other has too. The simplest explanation for these findings is that there is a biological factor in happiness/hopefulness that plays a significant role in how we process our experience of the world.I'm wondering if you could point me to reading resources having to do with the effects of childhood illnesses on personality development. Also, the possible
in vitro 
in utero effects on the child when the pregnant mother is struck by a catastrophic illness requiring the administration of life saving medications that would be disallowed otherwise. Example: Influenza, and meningitis. I have searched unsuccessfully.
Whenever or if you can.
Thanks,
tt
