If you have an older sibling—or even a parent of similar size and fashion sense—you have likely received hand-me-down clothes at one point or another. Those clothes may even have included a pair of blue jeans that someone had outgrown or grown tired of.
In this blog post, we are going to take a look at genes rather than jeans, but the notion of something being handed down from an older relative to a younger one still applies. It can be the case that a mental health disorder is a kind of hand-me-down.
Obviously, when it comes to maintaining good mental health, a pair of jeans is less likely to be problematic (even if they are ugly, ill-fitting, or both) than the genes that can underpin a variety of challenges. Let’s take a closer look at how your genetics might be connected to mental health difficulties of one kind or another.
Mental Health Disorders Associated With Genetics
Several mental health disorders can have genetic components, meaning they can be handed down from one generation to the next (or can pop up a couple of generations down the line).
Those disorders include:
Knowledge Is Power: Know Your Family’s History
Having a clear understanding of your birth family’s mental health and medical history is important. When you have good information to share with doctors and mental health professionals, you are more likely to receive an accurate diagnosis early on in the process. An accurate diagnosis is essential for the creation of a personalized, evidence-based, helpful treatment plan.
Knowing your family history can also help you make good choices and remain vigilant for the signs that you may be struggling with a mental health issue.
If you do not currently know your family history, we encourage you to talk with your relatives—especially your parents, siblings, and children. Getting a solid picture of the mental health disorders that have been (or are currently) present in your immediate family is extremely important. Other relatives whose input might be valuable include grandparents; aunts, uncles, and cousins; and nieces and nephews.
There may be quite a bit of information to collect and process, so it is important that you have a plan for capturing what you learn. A dedicated notebook, a file on your computer, or a reputable online resource are all good options. You will want to keep this information handy so that it is always available when you are talking with your physician or therapist.
Your family history is one resource to have with you when you meet with medical and mental health professionals. Others might include:
- An up-to-date list of your current medications
- A list of questions or concerns you want to be sure to raise
- A support person who can serve as a second pair of ears and help you navigate challenging conversations
- A commitment to honestly sharing information with your healthcare provider so they are better able to help you
Your Genetics Are One Factor Among Many
The world of mental health care would be greatly simplified if there was only one way for a person to develop a mental health disorder—and that way was via genetics. But just because mental health disorders can be passed along genetically does not mean that they necessarily will be. It is true, however, that if mental health disorders are present in your family history, there is a higher risk that you may develop a disorder, too.
The truth is that a variety of factors can contribute to the development of a mental health disorder. Your genetics are one such factor. Others include:
- Substance use
- Medical conditions and brain injuries
- Significant stressors
- Socioeconomic factors
- Traumatic experiences
Working with a mental health provider can help you determine the potential causes of—and appropriate treatments for—any disorders you may be experiencing.
Your Genetics Are a Clue, Not a Verdict
We want to reiterate here that having relatives who have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder does not automatically mean that you will end up with the same diagnosis. In the event that you find yourself experiencing the symptoms of a mental health disorder, a knowledge of your family history can provide important clues about what might be going on.
Those clues are not the same as a verdict. That is to say, your family history might contribute to the development of a mental health disorder, but it also might not. The key here is that having a strong sense of your family history can help you get effective help should the need arise.
We Are Ready and Able to Help
Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Peak View Behavioral Health provides personalized treatment to individuals struggling with mental health disorders—including depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. You can count on us to listen because we know no two people have identical stories or needs. And you can count on us to develop a plan that will help you achieve improvement in your mental well-being and maintain those improvements over time.
We are dedicated to helping you renew a sense of balance in your life so that you are able to embrace a spirit of hope. We are here when you are ready to get started.
