So interesting... genetic disposition for mental health issues

[PeasePudding]

My Father suffered a mental breakdown in his mid fifties, luckily now recovered. And I also have had my problems. In my research I have since found that his Father also suffered the same and spent time in hospital, as did his Grandfather, HIS father, and HIS Uncle.

So that's

My Dad - 1st Generation
My Grandfather - 2nd Generation
My Great-great-Grandfather - 4th generation
My great-great-great-Grandfather - 5th generation
My great-great-great-great-Uncle - 6th generation...

All having spent time in a mental hospital, or lunatic asylum as they were known. Having seen how grim modern mental hospitals are, I can't imagine how awful it must have been for previous generations. Most of them died whilst patients.

Sorry, probably not interesting to anyone but me but wanted to share with someone! 

[jbml]

No ... that is very interesting.

I have an ancestor from Essex who may or may not have been transported to Australia (if he was, his wife and children stayed in England), who was described as an "Idiot" when he died in Van Diemen's Land.

Others of that same name, and of the name of another family which is closely associated with it, are to be found in the Suffolk Lunatic Assylum in the early censuses.

I do believe that there can be a genetic disposition to mental health issues.

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.

[lisalucie]

Great post HAPearse! I myself struggle a little bit sometimes (nice way of saying loose the plot a bit lol) and I would most definitely argue that sometimes this can be genetic or inherited.
The one line of my family tree kinda shows this also. (1 spent time in an asylum, 1 suicide, 1 attempted suicide...countless individuals who seemed a bit on the edge!)
I find this very interesting because although I will always argue that just cus great granny played the trumpet it doesn't mean u have inherited ur ability to read music from her (a la WDYTYA) and that u make your destiny a lot of the time - I also think that some things are in our make up.
  Lisa

[rodc]

Absolutely a genetic cause for so-called lunacy, I have found plenty that would qualify under present day thinking in 2 families I am looking at.
probably more reasons today to indict persons for the slightest hint of difference from standard model of citizen wanted by govts.
I guess in the past a more drastic appreciation was needed to classify me or you as 'committable'
so are we better off or not?
have a ball before they take it away!

[DavidG02]

Difficult one. There is a thread on here about nature v nurture and its one I have a definite view. I strongly believe that nurture is the biggest indicator of who we become. I have seen how my grandfathers behavior affected 2 generations. I wouldn't call it genetic- just the fallout from his behavior.

I also think that current mental health diagnostics make it easier to be categorized into a MH diagnosis. I cant say we have a gene that indicates MH issues

[aghadowey]

Actually, certain families have been shown to have a far greater than average predisposition towards a range of mental health issues.

There is lots online (google 'mental health issues in families' or similar) and here's just one site-
https://www.rethink.org/carers-family-friends/what-you-need-to-know/does-mental-illness-run-in-families

[whiteout7]

I'd like to think that some people born into families with mental health issues don't inherit genes and don't have problems later. We are a jumble of our parents genetics though!

[DavidG02]

Actually, certain families have been shown to have a far greater than average predisposition towards a range of mental health issues.

There is lots online (google 'mental health issues in families' or similar) and here's just one site-
https://www.rethink.org/carers-family-friends/what-you-need-to-know/does-mental-illness-run-in-families

As I said difficult. Thank you for the link , and I don't want to take this into a  link v link thread. I will say that the link you provided doesn't give a glowing endorsement either.

My thoughts ( based on my own issues and understanding of them) are that we are products of the behaviours of our parents and , at times, extended family members and friends, so grandparents , uncles aunts etc.

As we grow we observe and take in clues as to how to behave. We react to different situations - the best to survive those situations. Some develop hard outer shells and can seem distant and aloof. Others crumble into anxious , panic stricken messes. Others fight back.

Attachment Theory https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attachment_theory has , for me , explained a lot for me. ie I lost my father at an early age and so continued to look for father figures through my life. My mothers father showed no affection to my mother and hence this was her attachment style which filtered down to me. As your link shows , others in my family developed different strategies. Not everyone had the same anxieties as I do.

In a family , e.g the OP , there can build within a family a quite rational thought ' I hope I don't turn out like my dad' this continual mantra can be its own worst enemy as it  builds within the person the anxiety they were trying to escape.

[aghadowey]

As I said difficult. Thank you for the link , and I don't want to take this into a  link v link thread. I will say that the link you provided doesn't give a glowing endorsement either.

Don't really understand what you mean but perhaps you didn't see this page from the link I posted where it given probability based on family history?
https://www.rethink.org/carers-family-friends/what-you-need-to-know/does-mental-illness-run-in-families/risk