Mind the genes
HOW much is our mental health or mental illness influenced by our genes?
In much of my mental health training, the impact of genetic influences on mental health functioning was strongly emphasised.
This implied that if we enjoyed good mental health, we were blessed with inheriting a favourable disposition.
The problem was if anyone suffered from poor mental health, they could feel doomed. Anyone who suffered from such potentially severe conditions as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or depression would likely learn that it stemmed from their biology and biochemical imbalances resulting from problematic genes.
These days we fortunately have a more nuanced and enlightened understanding. It’s not that genes don’t have an influence — they most certainly do.
It’s just that rather than us being passive recipients, being shaped by whatever genes we were born with, we can strongly influence the impact our genes have on us.
The influence is two-way. The following ideas might be helpful in applying this understanding.
First of all, it’s not so much what genes we have, but whether they are “expressed” or not that counts, meaning whether they are switched on or switched off.
For example, identical twins might share genes associated with schizophrenia, but only one of them might develop psychosis while the other never does.
The problematic genes will more likely have a negative impact if they are activated by stress or other relevant triggers. There are the ongoing influences of physical health, environment, social supports, life experiences and mindset, in terms of a positive or negative outlook.
Favourable influences in these areas can be protective, buffering the potential negative influence of genes. Anything we do to seek out or promote positive influences in these areas of life is likely to have a beneficial impact.
It’s also worth appreciating that potentially problematic genes may confer advantages, or they would not likely have survived the lengthy process of natural selection from our gene pool.
Those with ADHD or bipolar disorder might have natural advantages with creativity or energy levels. Those with high-functioning autism might have uncommon persistence. Those with obsessional traits might have an in-built extra attention to detail.
Recognising the strengths that may come with the afflictions can help people work around the disadvantages. At the very least it will partly compensate for them.
With regard to our general wellbeing, it’s worth considering how we manage two different types of genes.
State-dependent genes relate to everyday physical processes and rhythms of life such as sleeping and eating. Our mind and body both benefit by developing regularity in such basics of life. That’s why when we face extra stresses from having to adapt to changed circumstances, such as the adjustments we’re making in our lives as a result of COVID-19, it greatly helps to adapt and optimise our routines.
We also have activity-dependent genes. These genes are stimulated by physical exercise or new learning and novelty, each of which leads to neurogenesis, or the creation of new brain cells and the connections between them.
Doing things we are passionate about, enjoying stimulating social contact and managing everyday challenges can support the activation of these genes. This can promote joy in life and helps prevent depression or stagnation.
It seems to me that whatever approach we have to dealing with a COVID-19-impacted lifestyle, including the experience of lockdown, we might spend a little time reflecting on what we’re doing to support the positive functions of our state-dependent and activity-dependent genes.
A balance will include enacting routines that support regular eating and sleeping patterns, combined with injecting activities into our day to provide a level of physical activity and engagement in activities.
This would help establish an ongoing foundation of healthy coping and increase the likelihood of our genetic make-up supporting our mental health rather than causing us problems. The more potentially problematic our genes might be, the more onus there might be on us to build a balance in routines and activities to promote optimal functioning.
Our mind influences our body every bit as much as our body influences our mind. Appreciating this can encourage a more optimistic mindset in promoting positive mental health.
Chris Mackey is a principal psychologist at Chris Mackey and Associates, Geelong. Tips about mental health and wellbeing, including the Psych Spiels and Silver Linings podcast, can be found at www.chrismackey.com.au/resources.