• Questions to ask your Doctor
  • Choose Quality Care

Assess Your Mental Illness Risk

168762374Psychological distress and/or mental illness affects many people today. There is information that suggests it’s important for people under distress and those with a family history of mental disorder to know about their risk .Added to the genetic risk factor, some researchers and psychiatrists contend that a mental disorder genetic defect may be  triggered by traumatic events, certain medical conditions, alcohol and drug use, and medical complications to result in the onset of psychological distress and/or mental illness. By simply knowing if you are at an increased risk, you may help prevent the onset of a severe mental disorder in later years for yourself and the people you love.

  • Only 1 in every 100 are at risk for Schizophrenia, signified by  disorganized thoughts and social withdrawal. The risk of Schizophrenia increases based on the number of relatives who are schizophrenic.
  • For Bipolar disorder, characterized by mood swings from a ‘high mood’ (mania) to ‘low mood’ (depression), 2-3 people in 100 will develop the condition. The risk of being Bipolar increases if other family members have the disorder.

There is no concrete testing available to determine one’s risk for a mental disorder.  However, psychiatrists may identify the level of risk based on family history and interactions with family members.

By understanding the signs that suggest you may have a mental disorder, you may be better prepared to accurately describe your symptoms or symptoms in people you love to a mental health professional should the need arise.

By knowing early warning signs, you may be better prepared to support yourself or your loved one with early intervention to prevent hospitalization or an unproductive daily life.

By knowing what medications worked successfully for your loved one, you may be better prepared if you or another loved on requires medication at a later date. It is common for similar medications to work successfully for all family members.

By creating awareness among your family members, you may not only be enhancing their lives but yours as well. Quality of living may be achieved for people with mental disorders and their family members. The greater the education level that your family members have in this area, the greater the advantage you or your loved one may have for managing an illness.

In fact, there are many daily healthy living skills, such as Breathing Meditation, to help prevent the onset or severity in symptoms of mental disorder.

It is important to recognize that there are benefits and risks associated with all medical procedures and drugs. It is also important to recognize that all information contained on this website cannot be considered to be specific medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical advice. As always, you should consult with a physician regarding any medical condition.Your Health Access disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.