Does genetic inheritance influence the appearance of mental problems?
Can problems be prevented? In some cases, removing the smallest of the dangers and applying certain safety tips. However, in other cases it is impossible to avoid them and they end up arriving, especially as regards health. However, in these situations, although it is not possible to avoid them, parents can anticipate them or at least be foreseen in case they appear.
A good way to be forewarned before the arrival of a health problem is to attend to the same past of the parents. The Genetic heritage It plays a very important role not only in the color of the eyes or hair of children. You can also anticipate a disease or the appearance of a mental disorder. This is shown by a study by King's College of London.
Inheritance of depression
This investigation analyzed almost 4,000 persons with mental problems, mostly depressed patients. On the one hand, patients were asked about the past and about the possible disorders that their parents had and on the other it was analyzed if in their childhood they had experienced some type of trauma that explained their situation. A search of the origin of your current situation.
From all this analysis it was determined that the genetic factor had a greater influence on the onset of depression than other elements such as traumatizing a trauma in the absence. Specifically, 27 genes were found that explained the presence of mental problems in the patients analyzed and that were inherited from parents to children. A result that gives rise to treatments from very early ages.
As explained by the researchers, one of the points that can be taken into account when it comes to being a father is to go back to the past. Review previous generations and find mental problems in them and to what extent they appeared in relatives such as uncles, grandparents, great-grandparents and especially in parents. In this way, measures may be put in place to prevent the effects of depression.
A technique recommended by the Experts of King's College of London is to take care of the environment in which the child will develop. Avoid factors that may lead to the onset of depression such as breeding in a climate of constant discussions and where stress and anxiety are a common note in their day to day. In the same way it is recommended to bet for a close upbringing and with presence of affection on the part of the adults.
Influential factors
From the Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, from Barcelona, collect several factors that can influence the appearance of disorders and mental problems. On the one hand, genetics:
- Epigenetic regulation. Epigenetics affects how a person reacts to environmental factors and can determine if this person develops a mental disorder. This is not constant over time, so a gene is not always "on" or "off".
- Genetic polymorphisms. Changes in the DNA of people who are unique. Only one polymorphism will not lead to the development of a mental disorder. However, the combination of one or more of them and certain environmental factors can lead to the development of a mental disorder.
We must also take into account environmental factors:
- Traumas. Very stressful domestic environments, the loss of a loved one and natural disasters are also the main contributors.
- Emotional damage. Negative school experiences and bullying can also cause severe emotional damage in the long term.
- Substance abuse. Tobacco exposure, both actively and passively, and alcohol either in the prenatal stage or in childhood has been associated with the development of mental disorders beyond substance use disorders or addiction.
Damián Montero
