So interesting... genetic disposition for mental health issues

[DavidG02]

I did.

Some research suggests that mental illness can run in families.
•We do not fully understand what causes mental illness or why it can be passed on in family members.
•Mental illness may be passed on because of different reasons not just genes. Even though mental illness may run in families, it doesn’t mean that you or a family member is going to become unwell.




It seems that different mental health conditions such as schizoaffective disorder and major depression can run in the same family. There is less evidence to show that other mental health conditions run in families.

We agree to disagree

[aghadowey]

"Mental illness" covers a vast range of recognised conditions so it's very hard to make a general statement to cover all occurrences and families.

I can, however, document (with extensive medical records) one particular family in which can be traced at least 7 generations of depression, suicide, bi-polar disorder (once known as manic depression).

[mike175]

From what I've seen there is undoubtedly a genetic element in many if not most medical conditions but only in a minority of cases is there an inevitable outcome. Too many people, not least journalists, try to oversimplify a very complex issue and look for a 'cancer gene' or a 'schizophrenia gene' or even a 'gay gene' (not implying that is a medical condition  )

A high proportion of my ancestors were skilled tradesmen: shipbuilders, carpenters, joiners, blacksmiths, shoemakers, wheelwrights, etc. Does this mean my lifelong interest in woodwork, metalwork and other crafts is genetic? Is there an artisan gene, or is it that there are a multitude of gene combinations that give me the ability to use my hands to make or mend things? Or was it spending my formative years 'helping'  my dad and grandad to make or mend things?

Maybe it was a combination of all the above . . .

Mike.

[jaybelnz]

Also, bear in mind that the identification of conditions such as Downs Syndrome is relatively recent, and I suspect that many 19th century "lunatics" may in fact simply have had Downs Syndrome.

And were also known as Mongols or the Village Idiot.