Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after being exposure to a terrifying event, such as military combat, a terrorist attack, or a natural disaster, in which serious physical harm was sustained or threatened. At least 7-8% of the US population is affected by PTSD. In a study published in a recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association , researchers reported that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to a person's risk of developing PTSD.

The scientist discovered that particular variants of the stress-related gene FKBP5 make people much more susceptible to developing PTSD after traumatic experiences, but only if they also had a physically or sexually abusive childhood. These findings suggest that both genes and the environment work together to influence human development.

Although larger studies and additional research are needed, understanding how interactions between genetics and environment affect mental health is important for unraveling the biology of psychiatric disorders and developing better treatments.

Source

JAMA. 2008;299(11):1291-1305.