People’s behavior, thoughts, and feelings are impacted by mental illness, which can hurt many aspects of a person’s life, including their capacity for employment, their ability to overcome obstacles, and their capacity for interpersonal relationships. If you have a family member who suffers from a mental illness, you might be concerned about your chance of getting one and if the mental disease is inherited.
Is Mental Illness Genetic?
Although the precise origins of mental disease are not entirely known, heredity does seem to have a contributing factor. For a long time, scientists have observed that some diseases tend to run in families, partly due to genetics and partly due to environmental factors like shared upbringing.
However, a mental disease is not only brought on by heredity. Furthermore, no one gene mutation can definitively predict whether a person will have a mental disease.
In other words, just because you have family members with a mental disorder does not mean you will develop it.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claim that no one unique cause of mental disease exists. Instead, it is frequently affected by several things, such as:
- Alcohol or drug use.
- Biological factors and abnormalities in the brain.
- Experiencing chronic medical conditions.
- Social isolation and loneliness.
- Traumatic or adverse life experiences.
What Is the Chance of Passing Down a Mental Illness?
It might be challenging to calculate your personal risk because estimations change depending on the situation.
The following is recommended by studies that calculate the relative risk of acquiring certain conditions:
Schizophrenia Risk
Below lists the following circumstances and the percent risk (the likelihood of you developing the condition if your circumstance matches what’s listed):
- If one of your parents has schizophrenia: 6%.
- If both of your parents have schizophrenia: 45%.
- If your sibling has schizophrenia: 9%.
- If your identical twin has schizophrenia: 40% to 50%.
- If your non-identical twin has schizophrenia: 17%.
- If an aunt, uncle, or grandparent has schizophrenia: 3%.
Risk for Bipolar Disorder
Below lists the following circumstances and the percent risk (the likelihood of you developing the condition if your circumstance matches what’s listed):
- If one of your parents has bipolar disorder: 5%.
- If both of your parents have bipolar disorder: 40%.
- If your sibling has bipolar disorder: 5%.
- If your identical twin has bipolar disorder: 40% to 70%.
- If your non-identical twin has bipolar disorder: 20%.
- If an aunt, uncle, or grandparent has bipolar disorder: 5%.
These are only approximations, though. More study is required better to comprehend hereditary risks and other potential contributing elements.
Although the inheritance patterns for other diseases, such as anxiety and depression, are less obvious, they are also genetically influenced. According to some estimations, your chance of acquiring depression is two to three times higher if a first-degree relative has the illness.
How to Lower Your Chances of Getting Mental Illness
You cannot alter unavoidable risk factors like heredity, but you may take measures to look after your mental health. Even if you have a higher chance of getting a mental illness, you can ensure you get the support you need by looking out for early warning signs, taking care of your well-being, and getting treatment when needed.
- Sleep well. Getting enough sleep can benefit your mental health and reduce the severity of your symptoms.
- Stay active physically. Exercise has several recognized advantages for physical and mental health. Regular exercisers report feeling more energized, content, and less nervous than non-exercisers.
- Eat a balanced diet. Your mental health may be impacted by what you eat. A balanced diet should avoid processed foods, saturated fats, and added sugars while including lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. According to some data, specific nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, may be especially advantageous for mental health.
- Develop a robust support network. A solid family and friends network is critical to support one’s mental health. A strong support system may give you crucial emotional and practical support and enable you to handle the strains and difficulties of daily life.
- Limit alcohol intake and abstain from drug use. Drinking too much alcohol or using drugs can worsen mental health problems and make them harder to treat. If you are struggling with a mental health problem, avoiding drugs and alcohol is essential for protecting your mental well-being.
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The likelihood of having a mental disease seems to be influenced by heredity, but many factors contribute to mental health problems. Although adverse life experiences, stress, substance use, chronic medical disorders, and biological variables play a big part in risk, genes account for some of it.
Combinations of genetic components can increase risk, and inherited traits can affect how someone reacts to specific environmental stresses. Recognizing your vulnerability, keeping an eye out for warning indicators, taking care of your mental health, and seeking assistance may improve your well-being and results.
This article was co-written with a therapist from Sensera — a self-help app that provides daily CBT audio sessions and exercises. The app helps people deal with a variety of mental issues (anxiety, low self-esteem, and relationship problems). Download now to become happier!
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: Jessica Rockowitz on Unsplash
