A new study has found that the DNA that makes people prone to depression can be responsible for altering their mental outlook. Researchers claim that people with such genes and a negative cognitive bias may lead to mental disorders.
The study found that genetic and environmental factors have a great impact on a person's emotional well-being. Published in the journal Molecular Psychology, researchers behind the study describe how building larger profiles of generic risk factors can be used to see how a person's environment can affect them based on their baseline genetic risk.
For example, a person with a larger number of genetic factor risks are more likely to be sensitive compared to someone with fewer risk factors. "If you take a gene that is linked to mental illness, and compare people who have the same genetic variant, it becomes clear that what happens to their mental health is based on their environment," according to Professor Elaine Fox of Oxford University.
Five of the most common psychiatric disorders are genetically linked, according to NHS. Five of the most common conditions include autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
However, previous research has only identified the number of genetic markers and not how the environment comes into play. Previous research also focused only on a small number of genes and mental health conditions.
U.S. and UK psychologist claim that the combination of tiny changes in genes could make people more sensitive to their environment. Consequently, this can affect their emotional well-being.
The research highlights people who are more likely to develop a negative cognitive bias. Consequently, this could lead to depression, according to Daily Mail.
Although no gene causes mental health, some genes came make people more prone to their environment. Fox example, when such genes are present and the person is in a negative environment, the person is more likely to develop a negative cognitive biase that may lead to mental disorders.
Similarly, having genes in a supportive environment may more likely lead to a positive cognitive bias that can increase mental residence. In addition, the findings of the study could lead to a more personalized approach to treating psychological conditions.
