In many ways, the things we do and the experiences we have shape who we are—from our personalities to the state of our mental health. But an equally important, if not more elusive, force that molds us is our genes.

Now, in an extensive genetic dragnet, researchers have pinpointed six sections of the human genome linked to key personality traits—extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness to experience. And some of those stretches of DNA may not only help determine if we’re chatty or cautious, but whether we’re prone to psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Specifically, the researchers found connections linking extraversion with ADHD, neuroticism with depression, and openness with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The findings open the door to a better understanding of such mental conditions, plus the possibility of better ways to identify and treat them.