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

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