Understanding Genetics and Mental Illnesses

Flipping through the new patient paperwork can feel exhausting. One of the most common questions a medical health professional may ask is, “Has anyone in your family ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition?”. Knowing there is a strong link between genetics and mental illnesses, it is important for one to stay informed and report any new changes to their chosen treatment facility. Doing so can help Avalon Malibu better identify whether a client has a higher risk of developing a specific psychiatric disorder. 

The Link Between Genetics and Mental Illnesses

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), there is a link between genetics and mental illnesses. A majority of genetic variants are not the primary cause of mental illnesses. Nevertheless, in some cases, a few uncommon gene variants can increase an individual’s risk of experiencing the onset of certain mental health conditions. 

Research indicates that some psychiatric disorders tend to run in families. Therefore, an individual’s family medical history may be a significant clue for determining one’s risk of developing problems with mental health. It is important to note that although an individual may be at an increased risk of developing a mental illness, this does not necessarily mean they will develop their family members’ condition. 

Statistics on Genetics and Mental Illnesses

Further research highlights that certain mental health conditions, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), clinical depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, are just a few common psychiatric conditions that tend to run in families. Their similar symptomatology typically indicates that they share symptoms from a biological standpoint. 

Based on a study with over 33,0000 participants, each patient was diagnosed with at least one out of the five mental health conditions. It was also found that illness-linked variations for every five conditions were discovered in chromosomes 3 and 10. Researchers highlighted that the specific region linked with chromosome 3 exhibited the strongest links to each mental illness. 

Steps to Take to Reduce the Chance of Inheriting a Mental Illness

Knowing it is common for some individuals to inherit certain mental health conditions, it can be helpful for one to follow a few self-care strategies to reduce the risk of developing a mental illness. If a parent presents abnormal behavior, it is common for their child to exhibit similar symptoms. Learned behavior, lifestyle, habits, and environment can all play a factor in the development of one’s condition. 

Some individuals who naturally inherit a mental health condition in their lifetime may not be able to prevent developing their condition. Fortunately, they can reduce their symptoms by following a few steps. Different self-care tips one can follow to maintain mental stability include: 

• Getting an adequate amount of sleep
• Staying active on a daily basis
• Eating a nutritious diet
• Staying connected with loved ones for ongoing support
• Taking time to relax by themselves
• Staying abstinent from drugs and alcohol
• Starting and ending their day with gratitude

Why Learning Family Health History Is Important

It is common for some individuals to go years facing challenges with their mental health. Some individuals feel nervous about reaching out to family, friends, or professionals as they may not know what is going on with them. This often leads one to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. Substance abuse will only worsen an individual’s mental health. A dual diagnosis can leave one feeling trapped, depressed, and isolated from others. However, opening up to family about certain symptoms can potentially open a door for further knowledge, guidance, and emotional and mental health support. 

The Importance of Discussing Family History, Genetics, and Mental Illnesses With Avalon Malibu

Many individuals tend to avoid sharing family history with a medical professional. This can be because the individual may fear hurtful judgment, feel embarrassed, or worry a psychiatrist may automatically assume they have the illness, too. However, reporting a thorough family medical history to a trusted specialist can help one in numerous ways. Doing so may assist the individual’s mental health specialist in recognizing their early warning signs. A trained specialist may also recommend different options to reduce their risk of inheriting a mental illness. 

Breaking Down Different Treatment Options at Avalon Malibu

Avalon Malibu’s mental health team strives to help their clients cope with their mental health by offering various mental health treatment options. Their medical team works closely with their clients to develop an individualized treatment plan for an enhanced path forward. A specialist can then tailor specific treatment options to their client’s needs to increase their potential for long-term recovery. 

Different treatment options, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT), talk therapy, and several different holistic methods, can provide the proper management needed for success. Some effective mental health treatment methods include but are not limited to: 

• Acupuncture
• Couples and family therapy
• Aqua activities (seasonal)
• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
• Art therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Gestalt therapy
• Writing therapy 
• Neurofeedback
• Yoga
• Music therapy 
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Avalon Malibu’s sanctuary model is a forward-thinking approach to addiction and psychiatric treatment. We are committed to imparting new ways of living to our clients through progressive treatments that help expose and release old ways of behavior. Our team understands the link between genetics and mental illnesses. When you join us at Avalon Malibu, one of the first steps we take is to evaluate your mental health. We are one of the only residential treatment centers in California qualified to treat mental health and psychiatric illnesses where these concerns are the primary diagnosis. If you are facing challenges with your mental health, call us at (844) 857-5992 for professional support.