Tough Questions to Ask: Can Mental Illnesses Run in My Family?

Mental health disorders are surrounded by many misconceptions and a social stigma that make it difficult for people with a mental illness to openly talk about their struggle. For many people, even discussing this issue with their family members can be a problem.

However, if you want to learn more about the root causes of mental illness, talking to your relatives might be a good decision. Some mental health disorders run in families so they can be caused not only by environmental factors but also by genetic factors, as well.

For example, bipolar disorder, major depression, autism, schizophrenia, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are some of the most common mental health issues that are associated with genetic risk factors.

According to statistics, about 10% of Americans live with major depression, and people with a family history of depression are up to three times more likely to develop depression than others.

Research data also indicates that one-third of people whose parents had major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia develop the same mental health problems. At the same time, the history of mental illness in the family remains a very sensitive subject for many.

Mental Issues Are Health Issues

Quite often, people with mental health issues go to therapy to deal with their problems and understand the emotional and environmental roots of their problem but don’t share their struggles with relatives. However, when their children develop mental disorders, such a person may experience a lot of anger and frustration because their family didn’t inform them about the risks.

Obviously, the main reason for such miscommunication is a shame. If you or your close relatives struggle with mental health issues, it’s important to understand that such problems are no different from any other health problems, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of. 

Mental illnesses are similar to other family-linked health problems, so if more than one person in a family has such issues, this means that they can support each other. There’s no sense in hiding such facts because, one day, they may become obvious, anyway. 

Does Mental Illness Run in Families?

The short answer is yes, but it’s important to keep in mind that there are many kinds of mental disorders, and in most cases, environmental factors can be no less or even more important than genetic ones.

While some diseases, like Huntington’s disease or cystic fibrosis, develop because of problems with a single gene, mental health disorders are not so easy to predict through a genetic test. 

Generally, only 5% of health problems are determined by genetics, with the remaining 95% of diseases being environmentally-based.

The complexity of mental health genetics can be perfectly illustrated by the history of the so-called “depression gene” — a serotonin transporter gene. When researchers discovered the 5-HTTLPR gene back in the 1990s, they concluded that it’s responsible for the development of depression.

However, in 2003, new research data demonstrated that the effects of this gene depend on environmental factors, such as stressful events and trauma, and the gene alone doesn’t lead to major depressive disorder. The very nature of mental health disorders suggests that biological factors are not the only thing we should consider when talking about mental illnesses in families.

Nevertheless, there is a clear connection between the five major mental health disorders (depression, autism, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and ADHD) and genetic anomalies. For instance, research data shows that variation in the CACNA1C gene, which affects emotions, memory, attention, and thinking, as well as the CACNB2 gene, are linked to all five disorders.

Environmental Factors Matter

It would be great if one could learn about the probability of developing mental health issues through a single genetic test. Unfortunately, there is no genetic test that would predict mental health issues because that’s not the way mental illnesses work.

Think of mental illness in the family as any other disease, like diabetes or high blood pressure. If your close relatives have such diseases, you have an increased risk of developing them, but this doesn’t mean a 100% probability.

Therefore, if you know that a certain mental health disorder runs in your family, it’s important to keep in mind that mental health is not only about genetics but also environment, self-care, and lifestyle.

Although one may have a genetic predisposition to a certain mental health disorder, this person may not develop it unless many other factors come into play. For instance, such factors as traumas, abuse, and drug use can play a key role in the development of various mental health disorders, especially if a person has been exposed to these factors as a child.

What to Do If You Have a History of Mental Illness in the Family

Every year, one in five adults experience some mental health problems. Not everyone who deals with mental health issues has relatives with the same problem, and if your parents have depression or schizophrenia, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will develop it or that the severity of your symptoms will be the same.

Many people who have a history of mental illness in the family start to worry about their children’s mental health. They are afraid that their genes can cause the development of mental health disorders in their kids, and such a fear isn’t completely irrational. However, it’s important to keep in mind that environmental factors play a crucial role in such cases.

Given that a child’s brain actively grows and develops, the things that we experience as children are the key factors that determine whether or not we will have mental health problems as adults.

According to statistics, as much as 50% of mental health disorders manifest themselves by age 14, and 75% appear before the age of 24. Most scientists agree that the human brain fully develops at the age of 25, so if a person hasn’t been diagnosed with mental illnesses at this age, this is definitely a good sign.

If you start to experience mental health problems, the best solution is therapy. For professional help in navigating these issues, local therapists are readily available and equipped to provide the support you need. A licensed therapist can help you figure out the reasons behind your mental health struggles and overcome them. Of course, people with busy schedules may find it difficult to visit a therapist in person, but online therapy platforms like Calmerry enable everyone to get the necessary help in a more flexible way.

What to Do If You’re a Parent

If you have concerns about your child’s genetic predispositions to mental issues, the main thing is to create a healthy emotional environment at home and to make sure that your child can get the necessary emotional support from you. Even though you cannot prevent a mental health disorder, if your child develops it, you can create the right environment to minimize the severity of symptoms.

Here are a few simple things you can do as a parent:

1. Talk to your child

Your child should feel comfortable about discussing their thoughts and emotions. As we’ve already mentioned above, the shame and stigma that surround mental health are real problems. 

If your child cannot share their emotions with you, they might get used to keeping their problems to themselves and hesitate to ask for help in the future. Ask your kids about their thoughts and emotions and be supportive. 

2. Teach your child to stay grounded

If you’re afraid that the history of mental illness in the family may affect your child, you can teach them to deal with difficult emotions. Perhaps, the best approach is to teach your child to stay grounded and present in the current moment. 

Talk to them about different grounding practices, such as breathing exercises, mindfulness, positive affirmations, etc.

3. Provide encouragement

If some situations make your child feel uncomfortable, teach them to lean in instead of avoiding such situations. For instance, if your child is afraid to speak in front of a big audience, encourage them to try it and challenge their negative thoughts.

4. Don’t be overprotective

You won’t be able to protect your child from stress and negative experiences forever. Eventually, they will need to learn how to deal with such situations on their own, and it’s better to let them develop coping skills early. 

Make sure to provide the necessary emotional support but don’t be overprotective because, this way, you may only make things worse.

Wrapping Up

Is mental illness hereditary? Well, the right question would be: “Do genetic factors contribute to the development of mental illnesses?” Yes, people with a family history of mental health issues are more likely to develop certain disorders, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that children of parents with mental health issues will develop the same problems.

All mental health issues develop for different reasons, and environmental factors play a key role. If you’re concerned about your mental health, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Licensed therapists can help you. Learn more about the benefits of therapy if you’re not sure whether or not you need it.