Family History may Help Predict Severity of Mental Disease

Family history can play a vital role in predicting the severity of mental disorder, claim researchers from Duke Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy (IGSP),

They suggest that just 30 minutes or less of question-and-answer about the family history of depression, anxiety, or substance abuse is enough to predict a patient's approximate risks for developing each disorder, and how severe their future illness is likely to be.

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"There are lots of kids with behaviour problems who may outgrow them on their own without medication, versus the minority with mental illnesses that need treatment," said Terrie Moffitt, a professor of psychology and neuroscience in the IGSP.

"Family history is the quickest and cheapest way to sort that out," she added.

Co-researcher Avshalom Caspi, professor of psychology and neuroscience, added that researchers searching for genes responsible for mental disorders might also take advantage of the discovery.

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During the study, the researchers examined 981 New Zealanders, who were a part of Dunedin Study.

They tested each individual's personal experience with depression, anxiety, alcohol dependence and drug dependence in relation to their family history "scores" - the proportion of their grandparents, parents and siblings over age 10 who were affected.

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The analysis shows that family history can predict a more recurrent course of each of the four disorders. It is also indicative of those more likely to suffer a worse impairment and to make greater use of mental health services.

Family history could be used to identify those in need of early intervention or more aggressive treatment.

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The findings appear in the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Source-ANI
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