Mental Disorders—Family History

Your family history includes health information about you and your close relatives. Families have many factors in common, including their genes, environment, and lifestyle. Looking at these factors can help you figure out whether you have a higher risk for certain health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Having a family member with a disease raises your risk, but it does not mean that you will definitely get it. Knowing that you are at risk gives you a chance to reduce that risk by following a healthier lifestyle and getting tested as needed.

You can get started by talking to your relatives about their health. Draw a family tree and add the health information. Having copies of medical records and death certificates is also helpful.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Creating a family health history (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Family History Is Important for Your Health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) – PDF

Also called: Mental illness

Mental disorders include a wide range of problems, including

• Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phobias
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Mood disorders
• Personality disorders
• Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia

There are many causes of mental disorders. Your genes and family history may play a role. Your life experiences, such as stress or a history of abuse, may also matter. Biological factors can also be part of the cause. A traumatic brain injury can lead to a mental disorder. A mother’s exposure to viruses or toxic chemicals while pregnant may play a part. Other factors may increase your risk, such as use of illegal drugs or having a serious medical condition like cancer.

Medications and counseling can help many mental disorders.

• Adjustment disorder (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Conversion disorder (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Illness anxiety disorder (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Somatic symptom disorder (Medical Encyclopedia)