Question
An elderly patient suffers from intermittent mental illness, and there are 7 records of mental illness among their family members of the same generation. Is there a genetic risk in such a situation? Will the existing daughter be affected by the genetic influence? Now, her daughter has given birth to a granddaughter; do they also face genetic risks?
Answer
Mental illness is indeed related to genetic factors, and many studies have confirmed that genetics play an important role in the onset of mental illness. However, genetics is not the only determining factor; environmental and lifestyle conditions also have an impact on the occurrence of mental illness. Therefore, although there is a genetic risk, it cannot be determined that offspring will definitely inherit mental illness.