Mental Disorders In Parents Linked To Autism In Children, Study Shows

[The Straight Story]

Mental Disorders In Parents Linked To Autism In Children, Study Shows

ScienceDaily (May 5, 2008) — Parents of children with autism were roughly twice as likely to have been hospitalized for a mental disorder, such as schizophrenia, than parents of other children, according to an analysis of Swedish birth and hospital records by a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researcher and colleagues in the U.S. and Europe.

"We are trying to determine whether autism is more common among families with other psychiatric disorders. Establishing an association between autism and other psychiatric disorders might enable future investigators to better focus on genetic and environmental factors that might be shared among these disorders," said study author Julie Daniels, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the UNC School of Public Health's epidemiology and maternal and child health departments.

"Earlier studies have shown a higher rate of psychiatric disorders in families of autistic children than in the general population," she said. "We wanted to see if the parents of autistic children were more likely to be diagnosed with mental disorders.

"Our research shows that mothers and fathers diagnosed with schizophrenia were about twice as likely to have a child diagnosed with autism. We also saw higher rates of depression and personality disorders among mothers, but not fathers," Daniels said.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080505072829.htm

[Ilsa]

1. That's very interesting. Depression, not severe as in suicidal, runs

in my family. I have an autistic son.

I know a number of families with autism in them. None appear to have schizophrenia involved. This is news to me, but doesn't surprise me.

[Deep13]

2. Well, my mother is nuts and I have high-functioning autism.

Go figure.

[Pale Blue Dot]

3. Kick. This is a MUCH more plausible correlation than with vaccination.

Look at the science.

[Lady President]

4. Friend and Her Son Are Perfect Examples

My best friend has been in and out of the hospital battling schizo-affective disorder for years. Her son is autistic. They are both gentle and caring, but neither respond to treatment well. It is unlikely that either will ever be able to live independently.

Her brother is higher functioning, but autistic as well. He can communicate and care for himself to a certain degree, but is unable to live alone or work.

I strongly believe that there is a genetic link.