It is increasingly clear that we are in the midst of a mental health crisis, with millions of people across the globe affected by the lack of viable intervention.
The Centers for Disease Control (2023) notes that 1 in every 5 people in the U.S. lives with a mental health condition, and 1 in 25 adults suffer from a serious mental illness or disorders such as bipolar disorder, depression, or schizophrenia.
Mental health is as crucial for well-being as physical health, and individuals may suffer from the debilitating effects of their condition for their entire lives. It is, therefore, important to develop strategies for management and begin working towards preventative care by identifying risk factors.
Various factors may contribute to the incidence of mental health disorders, including hereditary factors, lifestyle issues, substance abuse, and trauma. Each of these can be addressed to develop treatment plans that focus on rehabilitation and a return to normalcy for patients.
Among these risk factors, hereditary or genetic ones are the hardest to address without accurate data and information. Genetics and mental health have an important correlation that we must evaluate when looking to assess our risk factors for a certain condition due to family history or the presence of symptoms.
According to Andreassen et al. (2023) (published in the World Psychiatry Journal), psychiatric genetics has grown significantly over the years, revealing the possibility of using individual genetic profiles for risk assessment and informed clinical decision-making.
Read on to explore how genetic testing can be used to predict mental health disorders.
Causes of Mental Health Disorders
Although the true cause of most mental health disorders remains a relative mystery, research findings reveal that most mental illnesses are caused by a combination of factors, including psychological, environmental, biological, and socio-economic factors. These factors include:
- Physical and sexual abuse
- Hereditary factors
- Neglect
- Stress and anxiety
- Brain defects, injuries, and infections
- Substance abuse
- Loneliness
- Death of a close relation or divorce
The Intersection of Genetics and Mental Health
As mental health care gains momentum worldwide, one question among many people is the possibility of predicting mental diseases based on genetics.
Genetic testing for mental illness is useful for uncovering genetic markers that may predispose you to mental conditions including bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression.
In an article in the American Journal of Medical Genetics, Morosoli et al. (2021) observe that most people are highly interested in genetic testing for mental health conditions. In most cases, many respondents expressed serious concerns they wished to address by learning of their genetic predisposition.
While some expressed the possibility of not having children if they have a high genetic predisposition, others did not want to choose a partner who might expose their offspring to mental health issues.
Genetic testing for mental illness can assist in predicting disorders by assessing genetic factors. Most mental health conditions, such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, have a distinct genetic component to them.
Additionally, researchers have discovered that certain genes are linked to a higher risk of various mental conditions. For instance, the SERT gene is linked to anxiety and depression, while the COMT gene has been associated with schizophrenia.
Although genetic testing has proven useful in indicating the increased risk for mental health conditions, there is a need for more research. Therefore, it cannot be considered as a definitive predictive tool.
Genetic Testing: A Tool for Better Mental Health Insights
Over the years, companies are increasingly using genetic testing to improve the support offered to patients with mental health illnesses.
The benefits of undergoing genetic testing for mental health conditions are numerous. Some notable ones are as follows:
Prevention
Healthcare professionals can identify the risks of developing mental health conditions using psychiatric genetics. The obtained results can guide early interventions or preventive measures to reduce the intensity or risk of mental illness. To prevent the risks of mental health diseases, you can:
- Adopt a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables for brain health.
- Do physical exercise to supply dopamine in the body.
- Connect with nature through outdoor activities such as walking. The outdoors will disconnect you from electronic gadgets and allow your brain to rest.
- Avoid negative thoughts and embrace a positive attitude.
Early Detection
It is better to diagnose mental illness earlier than to wait until it manifests. Instead of staying undiagnosed, get a gene test to establish a predisposition for mental health so you detect it early.
Once you receive a definitive diagnosis from a gene test, you can rule out other possibilities and promptly begin early interventions. Early detection not only helps in preventing potential issues but also saves money, boosts productivity, and reduces the overall healthcare burden.
The relationship between genetics and mental health creates room for early detection. Identifying your own link will guide you on the necessary lifestyle modifications to support your mental health and overall wellness.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Treatments for mental health conditions crafted using insights into your genetic composition are more effective and have fewer adverse reactions.
Once you take a gene test and discover your mental health status, your healthcare practitioner can recommend the most effective medication.
Family Planning
Most genetic tests can reveal if aspiring parents have a genetic variant that can increase their children’s risk for mental illnesses.
Once you take a test, a genetic counselor will guide you on the results. If you have a genetic mutation that you can pass to your children, you can consider family planning to avoid this. If you can lessen the impact through lifestyle modifications, your healthcare provider will guide you on the necessary changes to make.
Improved Understanding and Empowerment
Understanding how genes affect mental health leads to less stigmatization of disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.
When you know the risk factors for mental illnesses, you are empowered to modify your lifestyle to enhance your health and wellness.
Conclusion
Although mental health is a personal matter, your family history can indicate a predisposition to certain conditions, highlighting a vital connection between genetics and mental health. By examining your genetic markers, you can gain insights into your mental health, allowing you to address it from a genetic perspective.
Once you recognize that your genes increase your risk of getting a mental health condition, you can take the necessary actions before the issue gets magnified.
Since people respond differently to medication and treatment, understanding how your genes impact your mental health creates room for a customized treatment plan to address your issue.