Fragile The presence of an abnormality in the X chromosome causes fragile X syndrome. It shrinks and often breaks. There are a few different outcomes that can occur in a person with fragile X syndrome. Mental retardation, learning disabilities and anxiety can all be linked to Fragile X syndrome. Many behavioral and cognitive problems also occur. Fragile X syndrome is a lifelong condition, but treatments for the disorder have been researched and can improve the lives of those affected. Most individuals with fragile X syndrome can live normal lives. Individuals with the disorder exhibit certain behavioral and physical characteristics such as large ears, long, narrow faces, poor eye contact, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and approximately 1 in 3 males meet the criteria for autistic disorder (Hagerman, Berry Kravis & Kaufmann, 2009). Fragile X syndrome occurs almost twice as often in males as females. The disorder occurs in approximately one in four thousand births for males and one in eight thousand for females (“Fragile X Syndrome”, 2014). Males with the disorder will show mild to moderate intellectual disability most of the time, while most females with the disorder will have a normal IQ, but may also have behavioral and cognitive problems. It is believed that in females the extra This may also be why a woman does not show up as… middle of the paper… in diagnosing behavioral problems an individual may have and cannot accurately prescribe a medication. Fragile X syndrome is a lifelong chromosomal disorder. , but if treated early and correctly an individual can live a fairly normal life. Behavioral problems can be controlled with therapies and certain medications so that the patient can experience living a more comfortable lifestyle. Therapies and medications are used to maximize an individual's intelligence early in life. Women and men experience different effects with this disorder and it is quite interesting to see why and how. Fragile X syndrome is hereditary. Someone can be a carrier of the gene and not actually live with the disease. Although we have come a long way in the medical field, chromosomal disorders are complicated and I'm not sure there will ever be a cure in our lifetime.