Genetics strongly influence our predisposition to mental illness
Nature has been pitted against nurture for centuries. People have always pondered the question of whether human behaviour is primarily dictated by genetic hard-wiring or by our experiences and environmental factors.
The debate has lasted so long because we know comparatively little about the functioning of the human brain. As a result, disorders of the brain have been the subject of much conjecture, discussion and even controversy.
Even today, the causes of many psychiatric illnesses are basically unknown. Researchers are working hard to determine just how much of a role our genes play in our mental health and how often brain disorders are the result of a neglected youth or stressful life circumstances.
As is often the case in life, the answer is proving to be more gray than black and white. While mapping the human genome, researchers are pinpointing genes that appear to be involved in psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression.