Is Bi Polar hereditary? NO bear jokes please?

Answer 1

Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health says that more than two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder have at least one close relative with the illness or with clinical, or "unipolar," depression. Read more about the link between genetics and bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder runs in the family
A person with close relatives who have bipolar disorder is more likely to be affected by the illness—this is what is known as a "genetic predisposition." Not everyone with the condition has relatives with bipolar disorder. But, according to the Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, your chance of developing the illness greatly increases if you have a family history:


Parents—When one parent is bipolar, each child has a 15%-30% chance of developing the condition. When both parents have the illness, the risk jumps to between 50% and 75%.


Siblings—If you have a brother or sister with bipolar disorder, you have a 15% to 25% chance of developing the illness.


It is important to stress that some people with the illness have no family history whatsoever.

Answer 2

My individual research suggests (from multiple different sources) that the rate of the affliction is genetically passed on somewhere between 60-70% of the time, around 85% for twins.. and about the same for children when both parents have a history of mental illness on both sides of the family tree..
It can skip generations or affect different branches of the tree.. cousins/uncles... that sort of thing..
soo this means that if you have an uncle that is bipolar and parents that are not .. there is a 70% chance that one of your grandparents had some type of mental illness .. and if one of your grandparents was bipolar and your parents were lucky enough to miss out.. I would pay close attention to the possibility that you may not be so lucky.
It is heredity.. you are born with it.. it just takes time for the manifestation to emerge.. sometimes in your teens.. but usually before you are 30...
Without proper treatment the intensity and duration of the disorder worsens over time..
If there is a family history of these things .. don't play around with it.. research also suggests 25-40% of people with bipolar disorder will be responsible for their own untimely death, by either suicide or poor decisions while manic.. stuff like driving their car into a tree, or dangerous impulsive unprotected sexual relations..
Hope this helps.. most of this is from NIMH or NAMI .. and some is from the blackdog institute or a few of the other bipolar info sites I have come across along the way

Answer 3

bear jokes ? like what polar bear ? i guess this has happened to you before ?
well my opinion on bi-polar might not be a popular one however due to the fact there is a chemical imbalance in question i would say that yes the possibility that it might be hereditary is there. but i wouldn't WORRY about it. I personally think, despite the fact that it does have to do with a chemical imbalance (Which i am familiar with) that most people use that as an excuse anyways to deal with everyday life because society has made a slow upward spiral towards weirdness. pushing pills on everyone instead of suggesting change of life to prevent the problem all together.

Answer 4

Yes. I am a survivor of Bi Polar and it is hereditary. That doesn't mean that any kids you have are guaranteed to get it though. I can lay dormant all their lives and never show itself. It is more common in males to show up early than in females. The worst my daughters have had is Attention Deficit though Asperger's is a possibility in my family as well. Bi-Polar is caused by a chemical problem in the brain where you brain isn't creating enough of one or more chemical you need to function. It can also be caused by brain injury (ie: hitting your head on cement). I suggest the book: Change your brain change your life, by Dr. Amen. It's excellent reading and has a LOT of case stories that you may be able to relate to. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Bipolar disorder is definitely hereditary. It usually shows up during the 20's or 30's. Don't be fooled if there were no symptoms before then. And, not all people with bipolarity are manic. There are four types of bipolar disorder. I know about this because I just went through this recently with my son. It is also a very treatable condition with medication.

Answer 6

My ex-husband was bi-polar and my 14 year old son has been diagnosied with it along with ODD and ADHD. My daughter who is 12 is fine. I have been told it does run in families. But who knows for sure the main thing is to get help and to live life to the fullest. I am having a hard time dealing with my son because he also got his abuse from his father. He saw his father abuse me and he just carried it over. I don't think anybody really knows the answers to so many of life's questions. Good luck.

Answer 7

I am proud to say I am bipolar. I am happy healthy and have a great life. I have learned to live with out meds so no matter what there is hope. I have been told it is hereditary but I believe no one knows for sure

Answer 8

definite. Bi polar may reason an same signs and indications, indications as melancholy as bi polar human beings wade through melancholy. Suicidal ideation is going hand in hand with both as do mood swings. you are able to bypass from being truly as a lot as going to the depths of melancholy. Insomnia also. save on the point of your Dr. and examine with him if any transformations ensue.

Answer 9

Scientists aren't exactly sure but they have conducted some research and believe that it is possible that one may be genetically predisposed to bi-polar disorder. Many people however, will continue to debate this issue of nature vs. nurture.

Answer 10

I have sufferd for 20 years, with bipolar and my daughter was also diognosed at the age 14 she is now 23 I was told my family has mental illness. in its DNA .