Genetic basis of mental disorders from the angle of Psychiatry Consultant
Genetic factors has major contribution in developing
majority of human disease. Though it is unusual in psychiatry to diagnose many
disorders that have a single etiological factor as mental disorders emerges out
of complex interplay between biological, social and psychological factors. Recently, mental health experts and
psychiatrists are more mindful of the significance of genetic factors as a main
causes of mental ailments.
Burgeoning psychiatry researches have demonstrated that
several mental syndromes have been associated with anomalous functioning of
nerve cell circuits that link to specific brain regions. Nerve cells within
these brain circuits transfer the message through neurotransmitters. If there
is abnormalities in such chemicals, psychiatrists prescribe medicines, offer
psychotherapy or other medical procedures to help brain circuits run more
powerfully. Additionally, defects in or injury to certain brain areas also lead
to mental disorders. According to many scientists, range of psychiatric
disorders tend to run in families, and have genetic origins. These disorders
include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar
disorder, major depression and schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is most devastating and emotionally
disturbing psychiatric disorder in which there is a thought defect.
Principally, it is characterized by misrepresentations to both thinking and
perception. Patient will experience progressive cognitive and behavioural impairment.
A person suffering from schizophrenia has worsened occupational, interpersonal,
and self-supportive capabilities. There are numerous reasons of developing this
mental disorder such as organic factors, genetic factors, and endocrine
factors, viral and immune factors. One of the major grounds of schizophrenia is
genetic factor. Another mental disorder, autism, in which child is unable to
build normal, biologically determined, emotional contact with others, has
genetic linkage.
Autism are usually perceived as a set of conditions
related with communication glitches, problem with social understanding, and
learning problems. Many psychologists found that genetic abnormalities are
common in autism. Psychological professionals did several twin studies in autism
spectrum disorder and showed increased synchronization between monozygotic
compared to dizygotic twins. Results revealed strong evidence for role of
genetics in autism spectrum disorder.
When elucidating the bipolar disorders, there is a broad
consensus that etiology of this disorder has genetic basis. Genetic
epidemiology studies have shown high familiality and heritability of bipolar
disorder. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity shows its sign in childhood that can
persist into adult life. ADHD is characterised by developmentally
inappropriate, severe, impairing inattention, overactivity and impulsiveness.
Plethora of family studies demonstrated that the biological relatives of
patients with ADHD show higher rates of ADHD than relatives of controls. Twin
studies have also showied that ADHD symptoms are highly heritable. In all these
psychiatric disorders, genes and heredity are the strong causes.
It is well recognized that mental ailment itself happens
due to the interaction of manifold genes and also other psychological factors
like stress, abuse, or a traumatic event. These factors immensely influence, or
prompt, a disorder in an individual who has an inherited vulnerability to it.
Researchers stated that changes in our genetic code can be linked with greater
risk for psychiatric ailments such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
To encapsulate, impressive number of psychological
studies have revealed that there is a vital role of genetic factors in the
progression of psychiatric disorders. Researchers have found that many mental
disorders have patterns of gene functions. Mental syndromes such as
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), and autism are highly influenced by genetics. It is concluded that most
promising evidences of psychiatric disorders is inheritance.
Important: This article is developed through environmental information, academic experience and/ or personal view of writer. Writer is not responsible for any disagreement
Important: This article is developed through environmental information, academic experience and/ or personal view of writer. Writer is not responsible for any disagreement
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