2006-08-24 06:17:12 · 13 answers · asked by jollyrancher918 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Yes my great grandmother on my moms side had it, my mom has it and I have it. So sorry but yes he is at risk. You can help by showing your child how to deal with emotional changes in an acceptable manner. My mother was always either super high or super low and I never had any stability in my life. Now my Psychiatrist and I are working learning to react to emotions on a "normal" (for lack of a better word) level. My suggestion would be don't teach the child to oppress the emotions but rather deal with them in a responsible way by setting that example.
2006-08-24 07:26:57 · answer #1 · answered by reedingcorey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there is a strong genetic component. Statistically, there's a 10 to 20 percent chance that your child will develop bipolar at some point in his/her life. That's the reality, found from scientific studies. You can't fight it, but you can lower the chances.
The best thing you can do is give your child a stable upbringing (preferably with two parents that don't fight, don't move house a lot); discourage alcohol and drug abuse (I know this one may be hard for you to lead by example, if you're like most other bipolars, and I don't mean that in a mean way); make sure your meds are working so you can be a good parent; and quietly keep an eye out for the signs just in case. On the bright side, there's an 80% chance your child will never develop bipolar.
2006-08-24 14:12:35 · answer #2 · answered by frank d 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes their is a genetic correlation. That does not mean that your child will be bi-polar, just that they are at greater risk than the national average. Keep him/her away from early drug use (even tobacco), practice good parenting skills, and talk to the doctor that is treating you. BTW the 'greater' risk of bi-polar is father-son, then mother-daughter, then across the genders.
2006-08-24 13:21:48 · answer #3 · answered by Charles B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and yes, but not yet. If you or your child's other parent is bipolar, there is a higher chance than for the general population that your child will develop the disorder as well. However, bipolar disorder typically presents in young adults, or sometimes teenagers, is extremely rare in school-age children, and is basically unheard of in toddlers.
BTW, whoever said the bit about a 50% chance of the child having it if both parents have it and virtually no chance if just one does is just making up statistics. He/she would be right if bipolar disorder were a simple recessive mutation, but it's not. And it's a pretty well established medical fact that having just one parent (or other genetic relative) with the disorder significantly increases the chances of having.
2006-08-24 15:55:00 · answer #4 · answered by xfallenangelstearsx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom is and was bipolar as I was growing up, not much has changed. I suffer from a multitude of problems that start surfacing around the age of 8, by the time I reached 13 I was hospitalized for Chronic Depression, at 17 I was diagnosised with Major Chronic Depression, at 21 they said I had Social Anxiety, and now at 30 they call it Depression with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. So yeah your kid is at risk, I'm terrified to have kids just for that reason. I know my mom's grandfather committed sucide and I often wonder about her. Genectics suck and its not your fault just keep a close eye on him and watch out for signs he's in trouble.
2006-08-24 16:44:40 · answer #5 · answered by Fairy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is genetic and your two year old is at risk. I have a brother that has it, but none of my other two siblings nor I have this condition. However, there are other ways that people can develop the condition. The most common other than genetic would be from a head injury.
2006-08-24 14:19:36 · answer #6 · answered by billymike1969 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The likelyhood of your child suffering from bi polar disorder is very minimal unless both parents suffer a mental illness then there is a 50% chance they may suffer from a mental illness. Plz try not to worry about this as you need to enjoy your childs childhood and make it enjoyable for them that is what is most important.!
2006-08-24 13:28:20 · answer #7 · answered by angelle_76 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My grandmother has it, my mom doesn't, I don't either, my son seems to be OK. I think there is a correlation between that and depression being hereditary, but your 2 year old isn't guaranteed to get bi-polar disorder. He or she might experience problems with depression when he or she is older. You will be ready for it and you will be able to recognize it if he or she starts exhibiting symptoms of depression later in life.
2006-08-24 13:25:05 · answer #8 · answered by dmc81076 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if it's genetic or not, but I believe I have bi-polar.but not sure I'm always depression,have been all my life and I can't get along with anyone including family and friends..I can be in a happy mood for a second and all of a sudden I'm mad or crying for no reason.I can concentrate on anything and I have trouble sleeping ........
2006-08-24 13:27:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
bi-polar as w/ many mental illnesses is hereditary but the 1st step is what you already know . I am bi-polar and have a 10 yr old daughter that is also. many Dr's. misdiagnose a bi-polar child w/ adhd and it was very frustrating for us to get her retested and to finally know that we were dealing w/ bi-polar. it takes perseverance but it worth it. good luck
2006-08-24 13:29:03 · answer #10 · answered by mjandmaria m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋