From the Editor
Can a parent’s trauma influence the development of mental illness in his or her child? Research suggests an intergenerational link for several disorders, including PTSD. But what about schizophrenia? Complicating such research: the complexity of genetics, environment, and trauma – and the limits of data.
In a new American Journal of Psychiatry paper, published last week, Iaroslav Youssim (of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem) and his co-authors attempt to answer these questions by looking at parental exposure to the Holocaust – years before conception – and the associated risk of schizophrenia in their children. They drew data from 92 000 births in West Jerusalem between 1964 and 1976. “Offspring of mothers who were older than age 5 when Nazi persecutions began showed over a twofold increase in schizophrenia risk, underscoring the potential impact of trauma and its timing during the preconception period in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.” We consider the study and its implications.
How often do adolescents and young adults use AI chatbots for mental health? In the second selection, from JAMA Pediatrics, Ryan K. McBain (of RAND) and his co-authors report on a US survey. They find that one in five youth use AI chatbots for mental health advice. “AI chatbots are already embedded in many youths’ mental health information ecosystem, underscoring the need for parents and clinicians to proactively discuss chatbot use to promote safety, appropriate expectations, and linkages to evidence-based care.”
And in the third selection, Sarah M. Gunther discusses medications and her journey in Psychiatric Services. In her personal essay, she describes trying different meds over time and the problems that they caused. She finally lands on the right combination. “I tell this story so that others won’t give up, and so doctors can see that the medications that they prescribe can make an illness worse.”
DG
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