Familial Factors
Research Outcome: To what extent do familial factors contribute to the development
of anxiety disorders?
1.0Introduction
This research study suggests that familial factors can contribute to the development
of anxiety disorders through numerous methods. When an individual s family of
origin possesses a history of traumatic experiences, it engenders behavioural
epigenetic changes that can instigate anxiety. Additionally, when individuals have
ancestors with Epilepsy, their susceptibility to anxiety disorder/s is increased.
Similarly, when individuals experience childhood abuse, they also acquire epigenetic
changes, as well as serotonin deficiencies, which have the capacity to cause anxiety
disorder/s. However, in other cases, the influences ... Show more content on
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GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter critical in regulating anxiety and reducing
stress. It does this by preventing overstimulation in the brain, and subduing excitatory
neurotransmitters, which can cause anxiety when the brain is overstimulated. Hence,
GABA deficiency results in overstimulation in the brain, and consequently, anxiety.
Furthermore, those who experience anxiety due to GABA deficiency, often develop
anxiety disorder/s (Neurotransmitters, Depression and Anxiety, 2008). Additionally,
as GABA induces relaxation, analgesia, and sleep, dysfunction of the GABA system
is implicated in the pathophysiology of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including
anxiety (Neurotransmitters, Depression and Anxiety, 2008). GABA is synthesised by
the amino acid glutamate decarboxylase (glutamine); thus, glutamine deficiency will
result in GABA deficiency (Graham, n.d.). Whilst glutamine deficiency can be caused
by diets lacking protein (Henderson, n.d.), it also results from Epilepsy (Glutamate
decarboxylase deficiency, n.d.), which scientists believe have genetics aspects (Fisher
and Saul, n.d.). Statistics suggest that in every 100 children born to parents with
Epilepsy, between 2 and 5 will inherit Epilepsy (Epilepsy and inheritance, 2012). In
cases where the cause of Epilepsy is unidentified, professionals believe that it can be
attributed to an inherited low seizure threshold that makes individuals more
susceptible to seizures (Epilepsy and inheritance, 2012). Additionally, children with
an extensive history of, or mothers with Epilepsy in their genealogy, are more
susceptible to the disorder, as shown in Figure