New research shows that family history can identify those who may need early intervention for mental illnesses

From UPI:

DURHAM, N.C. -- Family history could be used to identify those in need of early intervention or more aggressive treatment for mental illness, U.S.researchers suggest.

The study, published in Archives of General Psychiatry, found less than 30 minutes of questions about family history of depression, anxiety or substance abuse could be used to identify those in need of early intervention or more aggressive treatment.

The study was based on 981 New Zealanders born at a single hospital in 1972 or 1973 -- known as the Dunedin Study -- whose physical and mental health has been tracked since the age of 3.

The researchers tested each individual's personal experience with depression, anxiety, alcohol dependence and drug dependence in relation to their family history "scores" -- the proportion of their grandparents, parents and siblings over age 10 who were affected. The analysis showed family history could predict a more recurrent course of each of the four disorders.

"There are lots of kids with behavior problems who may outgrow them on their own without medication, versus the minority with mental illnesses that need treatment," study leader Terrie Moffitt of the Duke University Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy in Durham, N.C., said in a statement. "Family history is the quickest and cheapest way to sort that out."