Many mental illnesses share genetic links

Genes increasing risk for one mental illness often raise the likelihood of others, a study of over one million people found. Researchers compared DNA data, revealing significant genetic overlap between depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, autism, substance use disorders, anorexia, OCD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The findings, published in Nature, suggest current symptom-based diagnostic categories may not reflect biological realities, potentially prompting a review of diagnostic criteria.