Neurodiversity, genetics, stakeholders, epigenetics and Personality Disorders --- It is way past time to shift those paradigms

Genetics on the neurodiversity spectrum:

Genetic, phenotypic and endophenotypic continua in autism and ADHD 
​(2021)

​The perspectives of autistic people and people with ADHD continue to be absent from discussions concerning genetics.

​Further research actively engaging these stakeholder groups is urgently needed in order to ensure their perspectives are integrated into the aims and claims of future research.

When we talk about Neuro-Developmental Disorders such as ADHD and Autism and/or Psychiatric Disorders such as Bipolar Disorder, Depression or Schizophrenia we're often talking about:

• Genetics
• Maternal Immune Activation, and
• Epigenetics

---and the "CLASSIFICATIONS" themselves can look extremely BLURRED --- even though we sometimes might consider ADHD and Autism --- OPPOSITES.

When we don't get to the UNDERLYING BIOLOGY and just STAY on the SURFACE with CLUSTERS of SYMPTOMS -- it can be difficult to understand how such DIVERSE PRESENTATIONS can have COMMON MECHANISMS.

I'm including this article because it is calling for the INCLUSION of STAKEHOLDERS in the aims and goals of FUTURE RESEARCH.

When we talk about "Anti-Social Personality Disorder" --- EPIGENETICS is relevant.

But are "Anti-Social Personality Disorder" and other "Personality Disorders --- BIOLOGICAL? 

It is becoming more and more clear that "PERSONALITY DISORDERS" are BIOLOGICAL --- even as the ENVIRONMENT may have influenced that BIOLOGY.

Epigenetics in Personality Disorders:
Today's Insights
(Frontiers is Psychiatry 2018)

Summary: Epigenetic studies in PD (Personality Disorder) seem to be a useful approach to elucidate the interaction of co-working risk factors in the pathogenesis of personality traits and disorders.

However, the complexity of pathogenesis leads to divergent results and impedes an explicit interpretation.

Differing methylation patterns within the selected PD (Personality Disorders) could indicate subgroups which would benefit from patient-oriented therapeutic adjustments.

They might play a major role in the future design and observation of early therapeutic intervention and thus could help to prevent severe dysfunctional conduct or full-blown personality disorder in risk subjects.

What is Methylation?

"DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that occurs by the addition of a methyl (CH3) group to DNA, thereby often modifying the function of the genes and affecting gene expression."

Universities are in a much better position to INTEGRATE vast amounts of KNOWLEDGE across disciplines than PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS such as the American Psychiatric Association.

On the other hand, CLINICIANS are in a much better position to get that knowledge to ACTUAL PATIENTS.

We need more INVESTMENT and COLLABORATION on those 2 FRONTS.

Photo Credit: CNN

The PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER "CATEGORIES" in the DSM are 1/2 way in the ASHBIN of history and we're waiting for SOMETHING ELSE.

That hasn't come and probably shouldn't come from the AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION --- the DSM had its place in HISTORY and it's time to MOVE ON,

ACADEMICS are in a much better position to provide TEXTBOOKS and MANUALS.  

​The ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS such as INDIVIDUALS and CLINICIANS needs to be HASHED OUT.

Having said that, STAKEHOLDERS most want to be HEARD when things are not going well.

Things are not going well in Mental Health on a lot of fronts:  UPDATING OUR PARADIGMS COULD HELP A LOT.