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Disorders That Make Us Stronger

By Jill Harness in Medicine, Neatorama Only on Nov 28, 2009 at 1:14 pm


Because you Neatorama readers are so smart, you might already know how sickle cell anemia makes someone resistant to malaria. This apparent evolutionary disadvantage has actually survived through the generations because it makes individuals more fit for survival in other ways.

While sickle cell anemia is the best known of these evolutionary diseases, it is not the only one. Migraines, depression and bipolar disorder are all passed down genetically, and there’s a good reason these traits that seem to be negative haven’t been eradicated through the millenia.

Migraines

Migraine ChickMigraines don’t just cause majorly painful headaches, they also stimulate the nervous system, making people far more sensitive to light and sound. While this doesn’t really help modern day migraine sufferers, it could help save someone’s life in prehistoric times. Scientists speculate that migraines allowed prehistoric men and women to be one step ahead of their predators and their prey, making them more fit for survival.

Source Image Via Migraine Chick [Flickr]

Depression

depressionWhile between 30 to 50 percent of all people suffer from depression at some point, it doesn’t seem the condition would offer any advantages. Surprisingly, depression actually helps people focus on their problems and then think more clearly about the possible solution to the issues that are bothering them.

Studies show that people who are depressed tend to score better on complex problems in intelligence tests than those who are not. Side effects of depression, such as lack of sexual interest and lack of appetite, can even help prevent distractions from our problem solving abilities.

Source Image Via Darkwood67 [Flickr]

Bipolar Disorder

ventolinmonoBipolar disorder works in a much different manner. When individuals inherit severe bipolar disorders, they can have a hard time concentrating, making sound decisions, feeling comfortable in social situations and organizing their time. But, when someone gets the right combination of the genes that cause bipolar disorder, they can see increased creativity, courage and productivity.

Source Image Via Ventolinmono [Flickr]


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COMMENT
  1. Max Power
    Nov 28th, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    Cutting your legs off reduces your weight. Equally interesting.

  2. Ben Eshbach
    Nov 28th, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    I'm with Max.

  3. Power Max
    Nov 28th, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    ... Cutting your weight reduces your legs. Interestingly equal.

    ;P - Tee-hee!

  4. Edward
    Nov 28th, 2009 at 5:54 pm

    On a slightly more serious note: Your premise is sound, but your selection of disorders is, well, somewhere between silly and ridiculous.

    A great case can be made for paranoia being an aid to survival and autism assisting the focus of geniuses. Diabetes is good in areas that alternate feast and famine. And these are just off the top of my head.

  5. JamesM
    Nov 28th, 2009 at 6:28 pm

    "Scientists speculate that migraines allowed prehistoric men and women to be one step ahead of their predators and their prey, making them more fit for survival."

    As a chronic migraine sufferer... I shouted a resounding "BULLSHIT!" when I read this line. How the hell is a migraine supposed to allow you to be one step ahead of predators when you're pretty much completely incapacitated during a Migraine attack? Yes, it makes you more sensitive to light and sound IN THE WORST WAY POSSIBLE. Once that migraine attack starts ramping up, there is nothing you can do but lay down and wait it out. Migraines are crippling and there's nothing remotely resembling any sort of superpower or advantage when dealing with pain, more pain, oversensitivity to stimuli and MORE PAIN.

  6. pwscott
    Nov 28th, 2009 at 6:44 pm

    This research is interesting but pointless. If these are things we don't need maybe we should keep researching to aleviate the trauma. In another three millenia maybe evolution will phase them out.:p

  7. Jill Harness
    Nov 28th, 2009 at 6:47 pm

    James, I too am a migraine sufferer, and yes, you are crippled in the midst of a migraine attack, but we are also more sensitive to these stimuli when we don't have symptoms and that could help people a long time ago. Of course, now it just means that I go crazy sitting under the fluorescent lights in my office.
    Also, if you notice a predator around your community before anyone else, you could easily notify someone else to do something about it even if you are incapacitated.

  8. dooflotchie
    Nov 28th, 2009 at 9:31 pm

    "Surprisingly, depression actually helps people focus on their problems and then think more clearly about the possible solution to the issues that are bothering them."

    Yessss...this ability will come in really handy if a problem in my life should arise where the best solution will be to JUMP OFF A BRIDGE. 'Cause I feel like doing that pretty frequently.

    :-|

  9. Robin
    Nov 28th, 2009 at 10:43 pm

    "...depression actually helps people focus on their problems and then think more clearly about the possible solution" Um, no. No, it does not. I think this "expert" has not suffered from clinical depression, or they wouldn't make such a ridiculous claim.

  10. Gauldar
    Nov 28th, 2009 at 11:13 pm

    These subjects can't be neatly summarized into a single paragraph considering how each of these have so many subcategories and effects everyone differently. Symptoms and treatments are different for each individual person who suffers from them. When I was dealing with my chronic depression and trying to deal with my problems, without meds I was able to think as clearly as a person with a plastic bag pulled over their head. I like your posts Jill, and there is no offence taken, but these subjects can't be explained that easily.

  11. Jill Harness
    Nov 28th, 2009 at 11:43 pm

    They're merely scientific speculation, I think in reality, it's that all of these genes are good in moderation. Like the bipolarism one explains, when the conditions become severe, the effects are no longer good.

  12. Max Power
    Nov 29th, 2009 at 7:55 am

    #3, you're a crackhead. :|

  13. emmiline
    Nov 29th, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    i call bullshit on bi-polar being anywhere near beneficial. meet some of the people i know with it, and tell me they're a benefit to society.

  14. dar
    Nov 29th, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    'Migraines, depression and bipolar disorder are all passed down genetically'
    This old mechanic&motorbike racer speaks out of experience& with due respect: this is BigPharma's B$
    Please check out the following wch is physiological Chemistry& TRY it before Y'all flame me&condemn it-
    http://www.orthomed.org/
    http://preview.tinyurl.com/yj33lxd
    The Miracle of Magnesium
    Posted by: Dr. Mercola
    By Carolyn Dean, MD, ND

    Magnesium deficiency triggers or causes the following 22 conditions; the introduction of magnesium, either by a high-magnesium diet, with green drinks, or magnesium supplements, can help alleviate these conditions:Anxiety and panic attacks
    Asthma
    Blood clots
    Bowel disease
    Cystitis
    Depression
    Detoxification
    Diabetes, Syndrome X,
    and Metabolic Syndrome
    Fatigue
    Heart disease
    Hypertension
    Hypoglycemia    Insomnia
    Kidney Disease
    Liver Disease
    Migraine
    Musculoskeletal conditions
    Nerve problems
    Obstetrics and Gynecology--premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea (cramping pain during menses), infertility, premature contractions, preeclampsia, and eclampsia in pregnancy, lessens the risk of cerebral palsy and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
    Osteoporosis
    Raynaud's Syndrome
    Tooth decay

    Science and medicine have both turned their backs on magnesium. Science opts out because the scientific methodology is defined by being able to test one thing at a time ending up with one result. Science finds magnesium too difficult to corral, partly because it is responsible for the correct metabolic function of over 350 enzymes in the body.
    The creation of ATP (adenosine triphospate) the energy molecules of the body, the action of the heart muscle, the proper formation of bones and teeth, relaxation of blood vessels, and the promotion of proper bowel function are all under the guidance of magnesium.

  15. Max Power
    Nov 30th, 2009 at 6:52 am

    stfu

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