New study finds no genetic evidence to diagnose mental illnesses earlier

Research from the Beijing Genomics Institute reveals that the human genome project has not delivered evidence that genetics is the main cause of mental illnesses, reports Mail and Guardian Online.

Researchers found that genes do not play a major role in explaining whether one sibling, social class or ethnic group is more likely to suffer from mental health problems than another. Instead, experts attribute the environment to be the main cause of individuals developing mental conditions.

In a study by Cardiff University, only 16 percent of children who had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had the pattern of genes that many experts claim to be responsible for the illness. Research shows that 8 out of 10 mental illnesses come from non-genetic factors.

Recent studies have shown that a particular gene can make people more susceptible to depression. However, the Cardiff University study reveals that in developed countries, women and low-income individuals are twice as likely to be depressed as men and those who are wealthy.

However, experts say that when the DNA was tested in large samples, neither women nor the impoverished were more likely to have the gene that experts claim to be responsible for depression.

Boarding schools can help children and teens who suffer from depression by providing individualized treatment and education designed to promote healthy life choices.

According to PBS, an estimated 4 percent of teens develop serious depression each year.