THE INFLUENCE OF BIOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS: GENETIC VULNERABILITY / POOR RESPONSE TO MEDICATION / POOR SLEEP / SUBSTANCE USE

Question 1

BIOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS: Genetic vulnerability to specific disorders

• e.g = examining factors leading to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). If your mother or father has GAD, you may be at an increased risk of Developing GAD during your lifetime

Answer 1

• The idea that a person may have a biological predisposition to develop a disorder or condition
• Certain environmental factors present themselves
• The inherited characteristics passed on from parents to children

Question 2

BIOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS: Genetic vulnerability to specific disorders
- The importance of ADOPTION, TWIN STUDIES and FAMILY STUDIES in determining genetic vulnerability

Answer 2

• Twin studies = investigate the role of nature (genes). This is a natural experiment
• Adoptions studies = investigate the role of nurture (upbringing). This is a natural experiment

Question 3

BIOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS: Poor response to medication due to genetic factors

• Medication = used to treat symptoms of mental disorders
  e. g. major depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia

Answer 3

• Medications work differently for each person
• Some people respond better than others. This can depend on their genetic makeup and metabolism
• Mental disorder = thought to be sue to IMBALANCES in neurotransmitters. This means that medication will responds differently to each individuals’ neurochemistry

Question 4

BIOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS: Poor sleep

• Partial sleep deprivation
• Total sleep deprivation

Answer 4

Chronic sleep problems

• Associated with mental health issues. They can perpetuate each other
• RESEARCH: if a person suffers from a sleep disorder and a mental disorder = treating the sleep disorder can help improve the symptoms of the mental disorder

Question 5

BIOLOGICAL RISK FACTORS: Substance use

• 50% of people with individuals with severe mental disorders are affected by substance abuse
• Mental disorder = caused by a complex interplay of genetics, the environment and other outside factors

Answer 5

• Substance abuse = the hazardous use of psychoactive substance (e.g. alcohol or illicit substances)
• Substance abuse + mental health disorders = closely linked but one DOESN’T directly cause the other
• Substance abuse = make the symptoms of a mental health problem worse
• Substance abuse = > underlying risk of developing a mental disorder