The Genetic Risk Factors Which Play a Roll in Family Anxiety Disorders
While there is no definitive cause or cure for an anxiety disorder, many medical experts and researchers agree that genetics as well as environmental factors play a strong roll in the development of this mental illness.
Research studies conducted have shown that individuals who have a family history of anxiety disorders including panic disorders, social anxiety disorders, and OCD or obsessive compulsive disorders are at a much higher risk for developing these disorders than the general population.
Researchers who have studied the link between genetics and anxiety have also concluded that there is more than one gene that plays a roll in the development of anxiety and that environmental and social factors are equally important when it comes to determining who will develop an anxiety disorder and who will not.
The Risk Factors of Family History in the Development of OCD and Panic Disorders Recent findings from research studies conducted have shown strong evidence that OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder runs in families with individuals who have a parent or sibling with OCD having a five times greater risk of developing this disorder than the general population.
Researchers not only believe that environmental factors play a roll, but that there is also a genetic link.
Studies conducted have shown that a parent with OCD can have a different compulsion than their child who also has developed OCD.
For instance, while they both have obsessive behaviors, the parent may have the obsessive compulsion of washing their hands while the child may have a different compulsion such as having to count to an exact number over and over again.
This indicates that there is genetic link as while they both display the obsessive behaviors, their compulsions are quite different.
Of all the research done in an attempt to link genetics with anxiety disorders, panic disorders have been the focus of the most extensive research.
The majority of the results from these studies have concluded that panic disorders commonly run in families with studies showing that individuals with a close relative who has a panic disorder being eight times more likely to develop PD.
Studies conducted with twins also show strong evidence that biological factors play a roll.
These results have shown that if one twin has a panic disorder the other twin has as much as a forty percent chance of developing one as well.
Social Anxiety Disorder and Genetics Scientists and researchers also believe that certain individuals may be prone to social anxiety disorder or SAD due to genetics and that roughly one third of individuals who have a family history of SAD are likely to develop this disorder.
While a specific gene has not been identified as the cause of SAD, certain chromosomes have been found that are associated with panic disorders and agoraphobia and these conditions share the same characteristics of SAD, therefore, it is believed that other chromosomes will eventually be discovered that have a link to SAD.
While research has shown that genetics can be responsible in some cases of anxiety disorders, a combination of biological and environmental factors are most likely the causes in the majority of individuals who develop these disorders.
Research studies conducted have shown that individuals who have a family history of anxiety disorders including panic disorders, social anxiety disorders, and OCD or obsessive compulsive disorders are at a much higher risk for developing these disorders than the general population.
Researchers who have studied the link between genetics and anxiety have also concluded that there is more than one gene that plays a roll in the development of anxiety and that environmental and social factors are equally important when it comes to determining who will develop an anxiety disorder and who will not.
The Risk Factors of Family History in the Development of OCD and Panic Disorders Recent findings from research studies conducted have shown strong evidence that OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder runs in families with individuals who have a parent or sibling with OCD having a five times greater risk of developing this disorder than the general population.
Researchers not only believe that environmental factors play a roll, but that there is also a genetic link.
Studies conducted have shown that a parent with OCD can have a different compulsion than their child who also has developed OCD.
For instance, while they both have obsessive behaviors, the parent may have the obsessive compulsion of washing their hands while the child may have a different compulsion such as having to count to an exact number over and over again.
This indicates that there is genetic link as while they both display the obsessive behaviors, their compulsions are quite different.
Of all the research done in an attempt to link genetics with anxiety disorders, panic disorders have been the focus of the most extensive research.
The majority of the results from these studies have concluded that panic disorders commonly run in families with studies showing that individuals with a close relative who has a panic disorder being eight times more likely to develop PD.
Studies conducted with twins also show strong evidence that biological factors play a roll.
These results have shown that if one twin has a panic disorder the other twin has as much as a forty percent chance of developing one as well.
Social Anxiety Disorder and Genetics Scientists and researchers also believe that certain individuals may be prone to social anxiety disorder or SAD due to genetics and that roughly one third of individuals who have a family history of SAD are likely to develop this disorder.
While a specific gene has not been identified as the cause of SAD, certain chromosomes have been found that are associated with panic disorders and agoraphobia and these conditions share the same characteristics of SAD, therefore, it is believed that other chromosomes will eventually be discovered that have a link to SAD.
While research has shown that genetics can be responsible in some cases of anxiety disorders, a combination of biological and environmental factors are most likely the causes in the majority of individuals who develop these disorders.
