Mental health disorders, or conditions, are common throughout the world affecting approximately 1/8 of the population. These conditions are defined by a “clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotional regulation, or behavior”. Multiple conditions fall under the category of mental health disorders, the most common being anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and disorders in neurological development. While these mental health challenges can impact anyone, there are multiple factors that can increase the risk of having a disorder such as dealing with adversity, facing stressful situations, environmental factors, traumatic events, and genetics. Thus, the cause can be attributed to biological, environmental, psychological, and genetic factors.
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In order to understand the likelihood of developing a mental disorder, we can take a look at our family’s medical history. Due to the fact that these conditions may stem from hereditary genes, knowing the mental conditions that are present in your family, can help indicate risk factors for yourself and others in close relation. It can help to have conversations with closely related family members and keep record of your family history. This would allow you and your healthcare provider to better identify early signs of disorders or conditions that run in your lineage, take preventative measures, and receive early interventive treatment (NIMH). This information may be beneficial not only for yourself, but also for other members who may be equally or more susceptible to certain disorders. Another option is to undergo genetic screening tests that would allow your genetic counsellors and physicians to get a more accurate picture of the genes related to certain conditions and your risk.
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Genetic information can give us better insight to what is happening inside a person’s body and how their biology impact’s their mental and emotional wellbeing. These factors may influence the trajectory of a patient’s disease and identify the type of treatment necessary to deal with their conditions. At IASIS, patients with neurological conditions and mental illnesses are provided psychosocial and counselling support in hopes of increasing their social skills in order to reintegrate within society. Patients attending the programs here have been diagnosed with various mental ailments thus have unique therapeutic needs. One particular patient who received support for schizophrenia had a parent and a kid that suffered from similar mental disorders. Understanding their family history gave us insight to the type of conditions she was predisposed to and the type of aid she would need. IASIS additionally provides group programs at the Day Center (DC) where patients can participate in a multitude of therapeutic activities designed to provide social support, bring joy, and increase self-esteem. These programs can help the patient improve symptoms, learn critical social skills, and improve cognition. Through observation, I’ve noticed an increase in this patient’s mood after attending the exercise activity. As well, her participation in other programs like fabric crafts and the friendship club have decreased her feelings of loneliness and contributed to bringing joy.
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It is evident that understanding an individual’s family history can give us clues to the type of mental and physical conditions one may be at risk for. This information can be crucial for preventions, early intervention, and identifying others who may also be at risk. We can look at their genetics, physiology, and environmental factors to personalize their medicine and provide proper treatment. While a person cannot change their genes, this knowledge can be utilized to improve overall health and quality of life.
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Suhani Srihari, Intern, IASIS NGO