Life with mental health disorders can impact how someone feels, thinks, or behaves. Many might not be aware of their disorders, carrying on through life while struggling internally. Living with these disorders can affect many aspects of one’s life, such as earning a living, maintaining relationships, and coping with life events. For those who come to understand their diagnosis, many might ask themselves, “why me?”. Mental disorders can be linked to environmental factors like trauma, abuse, or social isolation. Even though these are the most common causes, disorders can also stem directly from genetics. Learning about the genetic factors that could have contributed to your mental health is a great way to find the best treatment methods.
Family History
In some cases, mental health disorders can run within your family genetics. This can make your chances of inheriting the disorder increase, but does not necessarily mean you will indefinitely develop the disorder. However, knowing your family’s mental health history can be a helpful clue in configuring a treatment plan. This piece of information can also help your doctor take action in reducing your risks in developing before a diagnosis has occurred. To start, communicate with your blood-related relatives and keep a record of their mental health history. Once you have found a good amount of sources to refer to, bring this to the attention of a genetic counselor to confirm or eliminate your concerns.
Talk to a Professional
Talking to a mental health professional can give you insight and clarity on your disorder or even help confirm your diagnosis. Consult your preferred specialist to discuss preventative measures and possible treatment plans to improve your quality of life. Psychotherapy can be beneficial to those who experience mental health difficulties, and can see improvements by exploring thoughts, feelings, and actions. It is in the patient’s best interest to address their troubles with mental health to prevent their symptoms from worsening. After receiving a diagnosis, confide in your relatives that share your struggles for moral support.
Genetic and environmental factors can both play a role in the development of mental health disorders. While understanding these factors will help you move forward to being treated, it is important to remember that they do not define you. Focus on finding your road to recovery to have the happy life you are entitled to. To schedule an appointment, give us a call or email us through the contact us page.
