Are mental illnesses hereditary?
Disease description:
My grandfather has been acting very nervously all day and tends to forget things easily. He had some neurological issues in the past. I would like to ask whether neurological disorders can be hereditary.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Lv Zhiqin
Mental disorders have a certain genetic predisposition, but not all mental disorders are inherited by the next generation, and the probability of inheritance varies depending on the type of disorder and individual differences. Below is an analysis of the heritability of mental disorders:
1. Probability of inheritance: Some mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, have a relatively higher heritability. For example, if both parents have schizophrenia, the heritability risk for their children may reach about 40%. When only one parent is affected, the heritability risk for offspring is approximately 15%. However, this does not mean all children will develop the disorder, as genetics is only one of many contributing factors.
2. Polygenic inheritance: Mental disorders are typically polygenic in nature, meaning that multiple genes and environmental factors together contribute to the development of the disorder. Therefore, even if someone carries disease-related genes, it does not necessarily mean they will develop the condition, as other factors such as environment and lifestyle also play a role.
3. Individual differences: Different individuals have distinct genetic backgrounds and living environments, so the probability of inheriting a mental disorder also varies. Some people may carry multiple disease-causing genes but do not develop the disorder due to minimal environmental influences, while others may develop the disorder due to environmental triggers.
