When using the phrase, “It runs in the family,” one would hope that it would refer to good looks, a sense of humor, or intellect. Unfortunately, some of the things that can be passed down within families aren’t as pleasant. Substance use and mental health disorders can also be handed down from one generation to the next. At Highland Hospital Behavioral Health, we treat mental illness and addiction and we think that it is important for people to understand the genetics behind these conditions.
Mental Illnesses Linked To Genetics
There is still a lot of research to be done on mental health, but so far, researchers have only confirmed that some mental health disorders can be passed down. These include:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Major depression
- Schizophrenia
- Compulsive disorders
Autism also has a genetic component and is sometimes studied alongside and mentioned in articles about mental illness. Many professionals, however, do not consider it to be a form of mental illness. It is more often considered a neurological or developmental condition. It is, however, frequently accompanied by mental health disorders.
Causes of Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders
It is important to understand that genetics are more complicated than most people realize and that they are only one of a number of different factors that can contribute to a person struggling with addiction or mental illness. Having a close, blood family member such as a parent, sibling, or child with a substance use or mental health disorder does not automatically mean that a person will develop them, just that their risk is higher. The absence of a family history with these conditions also does not mean that a person cannot develop them.
Other risk factors for mental illness include:
- Trauma
- Stress
- Substance use
- Infections
- Brain defects or injuries
- Poor nutrition
- Exposure to toxins
Addiction has similar risk factors to mental illness and mental illness is a risk factor for substance misuse. For this reason, it is very common for people to experience both, mental illnesses and substance use disorders.
Protective Factors
Even if someone has a lot of risk factors for substance use disorder or mental illness, this does not necessarily mean that they will develop an addiction. Researchers have discovered that there are also protective factors, which decrease the risk that someone will develop these conditions:
- A person’s belief that they control their own outcomes
- Healthy parental involvement and support
- Good relationships
- Doing well in school
- Living in a neighborhood with good access to resources
Benefits of Tracking Family Health History
Knowing that you have a blood relative with a mental health or substance use disorder can give you an advantage in managing your own health. For example:
- If you are familiar with symptoms your family member has had and what medications worked well for them, you can be a step ahead, should you develop the same condition.
- If you know that you have a blood relative with schizophrenia and that using certain substances can trigger psychosis in people with a family history of schizophrenia, you can choose to avoid those substances.
- You may be better able to get quick, effective treatment, which will improve your chances of recovery.
- Being aware that you have a genetic risk for substance use and mental health disorders and a personal history of trauma and that leaving trauma untreated can further increase your risk for substance use and mental health disorders, may lead you to seek out therapy.
- Understanding that getting proper sleep, a healthy diet, and adequate exercise can counterbalance mental health risks might lead you to make healthier decisions that reduce your risk for anxiety and depression.
- Using good strategies to manage stress can also lessen the severity of some mental illnesses.
How to Collect Your Family’s History
It is a good idea to talk to your blood relatives, to learn what diagnoses your first-degree and second-degree family members have received. This would include:
- Parents
- Siblings
- Children
- Nieces/nephews
- Half-siblings
- Grandparents
- Aunts/uncles
You could just record what you find in a notebook or word-processing file, but if you choose to use a free, online tool like My Family Health Portrait, it will be harder for you to misplace the information and easier for you to share it with your doctors and your family members.
Getting Professional Support
Once you know your family’s health history, you may have questions and concerns you want to discuss with someone who has professional training such as:
- Your primary care doctor: If you tell them about your family health history, they can watch for signs of mental health disorders or physical health issues that commonly occur in people with mental illnesses.
- A mental health provider: If you do develop symptoms, providing your family history can make it easier and faster for a therapist or psychiatrist to diagnose and treat you in a way that is likely to be most effective for you.
- A genetic counselor: If you are concerned about the risk of passing mental health or substance use disorders to your biological children, you could get an estimate of the risk by discussing your concerns with a genetic counselor.
At Highland Hospital Behavioral Health, in Charleston, West Virginia, we treat mental health and substance use disorders. Our patients and their families are an important part of their treatment team.
