Genes for susceptibility to mental disorder are not mental disorder: Clarifying the target of evolutionary analysis and the role of the environment

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 405-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas B. Allen ◽  
Paul B. T. Badcock
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Genetic Analysis ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Genetic Model ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Balancing Selection ◽  
Evolutionary Analysis ◽  
Evolutionary Genetic

In this commentary, we critique the appropriate behavioural features for evolutionary genetic analysis, the role of the environment, and the viability of a general evolutionary genetic model for all common mental disorders. In light of these issues, we suggest that the authors may have prematurely discounted the role of some of the mechanisms they review, particularly balancing selection.

Resolving the paradox of common, harmful, heritable mental disorders: Which evolutionary genetic models work best?

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Keller ◽  
Geoffrey Miller
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Human Behavior ◽  
Behavior Genetics ◽  
Balancing Selection ◽  
Paternal Age ◽  
Heterozygote Advantage ◽  
Psychiatric Genetics ◽  
Apparent Paradox ◽  
Evolutionary Genetic

Given that natural selection is so powerful at optimizing complex adaptations, why does it seem unable to eliminate genes (susceptibility alleles) that predispose to common, harmful, heritable mental disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder? We assess three leading explanations for this apparent paradox from evolutionary genetic theory: (1) ancestral neutrality (susceptibility alleles were not harmful among ancestors), (2) balancing selection (susceptibility alleles sometimes increased fitness), and (3) polygenic mutation-selection balance (mental disorders reflect the inevitable mutational load on the thousands of genes underlying human behavior). The first two explanations are commonly assumed in psychiatric genetics and Darwinian psychiatry, while mutation-selection has often been discounted. All three models can explain persistent genetic variance in some traits under some conditions, but the first two have serious problems in explaining human mental disorders. Ancestral neutrality fails to explain low mental disorder frequencies and requires implausibly small selection coefficients against mental disorders given the data on the reproductive costs and impairment of mental disorders. Balancing selection (including spatio-temporal variation in selection, heterozygote advantage, antagonistic pleiotropy, and frequency-dependent selection) tends to favor environmentally contingent adaptations (which would show no heritability) or high-frequency alleles (which psychiatric genetics would have already found). Only polygenic mutation-selection balance seems consistent with the data on mental disorder prevalence rates, fitness costs, the likely rarity of susceptibility alleles, and the increased risks of mental disorders with brain trauma, inbreeding, and paternal age. This evolutionary genetic framework for mental disorders has wide-ranging implications for psychology, psychiatry, behavior genetics, molecular genetics, and evolutionary approaches to studying human behavior.

An evolutionary framework for mental disorders: Integrating adaptationist and evolutionary genetic models

2006 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew C. Keller ◽  
Geoffrey Miller
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Balancing Selection ◽  
Environmental Noise ◽  
Genetic Models ◽  
Selective Sweeps ◽  
Arms Races ◽  
Evolutionary Genetic ◽  
Non Equilibrium ◽  
Disorder Risk

This response (a) integrates non-equilibrium evolutionary genetic models, such as coevolutionary arms-races and recent selective sweeps, into a framework for understanding common, harmful, heritable mental disorders; (b) discusses the forms of ancestral neutrality or balancing selection that may explain some portion of mental disorder risk; and (c) emphasizes that normally functioning psychological adaptations work against a backdrop of mutational and environmental noise.

scholarly journals Associations between common mental disorders and the Mental Illness Needs Index in community settings

2007 ◽  
Vol 191 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Fone ◽  
Frank Dunstan ◽  
Ann John ◽  
Keith Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Small Area ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Common Mental Disorder ◽  
Service Planning ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Community Settings

BackgroundThe relationship between the Mental Illness Needs Index (MINI) and the common mental disorders is not known.AimsTo investigate associations between the small-area MINI score and common mental disorder at individual level.MethodMental health status was measured using the Mental Health Inventory of the Short Form 36 instrument (SF-36). Data from the Caerphilly Health and Social Needs population survey were analysed in multilevel models of 10 653 individuals aged 18–74 years nested within the 2001 UK census geographies of 110 lower super output areas and 33 wards.ResultsThe MINI score was significantly associated with common mental disorder after adjusting for individual risk factors. This association was stronger at the smaller spatial scale of the lower super output area and for individuals who were permanently sick or disabled.ConclusionsThe MINI is potentially useful for small-area needs assessment and service planning for common mental disorder in community settings.

scholarly journals Claims for sickness and disability benefits owing to mental disorders in the UK: trends from 1995 to 2014

BJPsych Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastião Viola ◽  
Joanna Moncrieff
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Disability Benefits ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Individual Support ◽  
Government Data ◽  
The Uk

BackgroundThere is international concern about the levels of sickness and disability benefits, with mental disorders known to account for a large proportion of claims.AimsTo examine trends in sickness and disability benefits awarded for mental disorders in the UK.MethodThe researchers analysed UK Government data from 1995 to 2014.ResultsMental disorders have become the most common cause of receiving benefits, with the number of claimants rising by 103% from 1995 to 1.1 million in 2014. Claimants with other conditions fell by 35%. In 2014, 47% of claims were attributed to a mental disorder. The number of long-term claimants (claiming over 5 years) with mental disorders increased by 87% from 2000 to 2011. Two-thirds of mental disorder claimants were classified as having a depressive or anxiety disorder.ConclusionsCommon mental disorders may involve greater morbidity and social costs than usually recognised. Availability of suitable employment, as well as individual support, may be necessary to reduce benefit levels.

Excess mortality of mental disorder

1998 ◽  
Vol 173 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Harris ◽  
Brian Barraclough
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
English Language ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Premature Death ◽  
Medline Search ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Standardised Mortality Ratios ◽  
The Common

BackgroundWe describe the increased risk of premature death from natural and from unnatural causes for the common mental disorders.MethodWith a Medline search (1966–1995) we found 152 English language reports on the mortality of mental disorder which met our inclusion criteria. From these reports, covering 27 mental disorder categories and eight treatment categories, we calculated standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for all causes of death, all natural causes and all unnatural causes; and for most, SMRs for suicide, other violent causes and specific natural causes.ResultsHighest risks of premature death, from both natural and unnatural causes, are for substance abuse and eating disorders. Risk of death from unnatural causes is especially high for the functional disorders, particularly schizophrenia and major depression. Deaths from natural causes are markedly increased for organic mental disorders, mental retardation and epilepsy.ConclusionAll mental disorders have an increased risk of premature death.

scholarly journals The Meaning of Comorbidity Among Common Mental Disorders

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas R Eaton ◽  
Susan Carol South ◽  
Robert Krueger
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Common Mental Disorders

An overview of different models of mental disorder comorbidity and an early review of the transdiagnostic factor model of comorbidity (e.g., internalizing-externalizing).

Prevalence and determinants of Common Mental Disorder among pregnant women In Debre Berhan town: Highland in Central Ethiopia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kefyalew Dagne Gizachew ◽  
Gashaw Andargie Biks ◽  
Abate Dargie Wubetu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Common Mental Disorder ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Medical Illness ◽  
Debre Berhan ◽  
Self Reporting Questionnaire

Abstract Introduction: The high prevalence of antenatal mental disorders in Sub-Saharan African countries is poorly understood. Pregnancy and childbirth are gaining recognition as significant risk factors for the development and exacerbation of mental health problems. In low- and lower-middle income countries about one in six pregnant women are experiencing antenatal common mental disorders (CMD). Objective: To assess prevalence and associated factors of common mental disorders (CMD) among pregnant women in Debre Berhan town, North Showa Zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2016. Methods: Community based cross-sectional study was employed among 569 participants. Data was collected using face-to-face interviews with Amharic version of Self Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) from seven selected kebeles. Kebeles were selected by simple random sampling and individuals were selected using cluster sampling. Crude and adjusted OR was analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis and the level of significance for association was determined with 95% CI and at P- value < 0.05. Result: A total 557 study participants were completed the interview and the prevalence of antenatal common mental disorder was found to be 45.2%. Loss of loved one (AOR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.19–3.27), history of chronic medical illness (AOR = 6.57; 95% CI: 2.17–19.94), unwanted pregnancy (AOR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.15–3.95), nulliparity (AOR = 8.71; 95% CI: 1.58–47.94), one or less ANC consultations (AOR = 0.22; 95% CI: 0.08–0.64), two-three ANC consultations (AOR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.11–0.83) and current obstetric complications (AOR = 4.45; 95% CI: 2.21–8.99) were important factors significantly associated with antenatal common mental disorder. Conclusion: The prevalence of antenatal common mental disorder (CMD) was high in this study that shows antenatal CMD is significant public health issue that requires a great emphasis. So, early screening and intervention for antenatal CMD should be integrated in primary health care and antenatal care service settings.

scholarly journals The Protective Role of Emotional Intelligence in Self-Stigma and Emotional Exhaustion of Family Members of People with Mental Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 4862
Author(s):  
Rubén Trigueros ◽  
Noelia Navarro ◽  
Adolfo J. Cangas ◽  
Isabel Mercader ◽  
José M. Aguilar-Parra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Burnout Syndrome ◽  
Negative Feelings

Parenting a child or teenager is not particularly easy for parents, and this becomes even more difficult if a child has a serious mental disorder. This situation places parents in a vulnerable position that leads to heightened feelings of guilt and emotional stress. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the families’ emotional intelligence on their own self-stigma and burnout. A total of 537 family members from Southern Spain who care for individuals with mental disorders participated in this study. To analyze the results of the study, a structural equation model was constructed. The results from the equation showed that emotional intelligence is negatively related to self-stigma and burnout. In turn, self-stigma is positively related to burnout syndrome. Thus, the findings indicate that emotional intelligence may have a protective role against self-stigma, which is closely related to burnout syndrome. The relevance of these results when designing interventions that work with the negative feelings produced by self-stigma and family burnout is discussed.

Poverty, psychological disorder and disability in primary care attenders in Goa, India

1998 ◽  
Vol 172 (6) ◽  
pp. 533-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vikram Patel ◽  
Jerson Pereira ◽  
Livia Countinho ◽  
Romaldina Fernandes ◽  
John Fernandes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Mental Disorder ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Common Mental Disorder ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Psychological Disorder ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Primary Health

BackgroundThis study examined the association of common mental disorders in primary health clinic attenders with indicators of poverty and disability in Goa, India.MethodAdult attenders (n=303) in two primary health clinics were recruited.ResultsThere were 141 (46.5%) cases of common mental disorder. The following were associated with common mental disorder: female gender; inability to buy food due to lack of money; and being in debt. Cases scored significantly higher on all measures of disability. Primary health clinic staff recognised a third of the morbidity but used multiple oral drugs, injectable vitamins and benzodiazepines to treat common mental disorders.ConclusionsPoverty is closely associated with common mental disorder which in turn is associated with deprivation and despair. Primary mental health care priorities in low-income countries need to shift from psychotic disorders which often need specialist care to common mental disorders. Health policy and development agencies need to acknowledge the intimate association of female gender and poverty with these disorders.

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