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Familial Factors

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Research Outcome: ‘To what extent do familial factors contribute to the development of anxiety disorders?’

1.0 Introduction
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…

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

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