Genetic Link to Most Mental Health Disorders Disproven

Researchers and mental health professionals have long believed that mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorder, were primarily caused or influenced by a “chemical imbalance in the brain” and genetics.

In 2011, the “chemical imbalance” theory was proven untrue, which is why pharmaceutical companies stopped promoting the “chemical imbalance” theory.

Now, recent studies have challenged the genetic predisposition theory.

According to research published in the last few years [1][2][3][4][5], genes appear to have little, if any, role in predicting mental illness, including anxiety disorders. Key findings from this research include:

• No specific genes were found to reliably predict mental illness after considering multiple factors.[1][2]]3]

• The results suggested that chance, rather than genetics, is likely a more significant factor in the development of mental health issues.[1][2][3]

• Previous theories about “depression candidate genes” have been disproven by large-scale studies.[4]

• Environmental factors and learned behaviors appear to play a much more significant role in the development of anxiety disorders than genetics.[1][2][5]

This body of research emphasizes the importance of focusing on environmental influences, early life experiences, and learned behaviors in both the development and treatment of anxiety disorders.

As such, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other forms of talk therapy delivered by experienced therapists remain highly effective treatments, supporting the idea that anxiety is largely influenced by modifiable factors rather than fixed genetic predispositions.

While family history might still play a role, it’s likely because of shared experiences and learned behaviors rather than inherited genes.

This recent research should be good news for those suffering from common mental health disorders like anxiety disorder and depression. It means that through good self-help information, therapy, and support, individuals can overcome mental health challenges and go on to live wonderful lives free from previously learned mental health issues. 

References:

1. Patron, Jonas, et al. “Assessing the performance of genome-wide association studies for predicting disease risk.” PLOS ONE, 5 Dec 2019.

2. Curtis, David, et al. “Analysis of 50,000 exome-sequenced UK Biobank subjects fails to identify genes influencing probability of developing a mood disorder resulting in psychiatric referral.” Journal of Affective Disorders, 15 Feb 2021.

3. Simons, Peter. “New Study: No Genes to Predict Mental Illness.” madinamerica.com, 11 Jan 2021.

4. Border, Richard, et al. “No Support for Historical Candidate Gene or Candidate Gene-by-Interaction Hypotheses for Major Depression Across Multiple Large Samples.” The American Journal of Psychiatry, 8 Mar. 2019.

5. Tyson, Frederick, et al. “Environmental Influences on Epigenetic Regulation.” Environmental Health Perspectives, Dec. 2005.