Just about everyone in my husband's family has mental problems and is on meds or needs meds. Have my children inherited this? They seem like normal healthy kids but his family really scare me. Funny though, being away from my hubbys family seems to help him. At a holiday dinner it was so sad, I think I was the only sane one in the room. Really I dont mean anything ugly toward them, its just something you can really see in their eyes. We aren't around them anymore and I love them and miss them but still worry for my babies. I could give examples but really even doctors are trying to help most of them
2006-09-08 16:32:33 · 17 answers · asked by b4utell 3 in Health ➔ Mental Health
There are a lot of misconceptions about mental health issues...something usually has to happen in your life for you to suffer it, eg, when a marriage breaks up and you suffer depression, a child who has been sexually abused, that kind of thing. You are a product of your environment, so I would guess that your husbands family have been exposed to some kind of trauma during their growing up years. Psychiatric illnesses can run in families, but not usually mental health disorders. I think your children will be fine, and is probably a good idea that you and your children dont spend a lot of time with your husbands family. Dont be fooled though, a mental illness is an illness nevertheless and counsellors and medication can help sufferers, but it doesnt have to be a long term thing either. It is not heriditary, but are you sure your husbands family have been properly diagnosed.
2006-09-08 17:38:10 · answer #1 · answered by rightio 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I "inherited" depression from my mother. By this I mean that from birth I witnessed how poorly she dealt with life and I learned from her. She was very negative and sometimes hateful toward us. She never got counseling (back then it was shameful for the family), and was depressed the entire time I was growing up. Consequently, I have suffered from depression for as long as I can remember. However, I had therapy and also became a Christian before I had my children, and my depression is in remission. I still have a bad day once in a while, but I will NEVER exhibit depressive behavior to my children. Some mental illnesses like schizophrenia are inherited, but most are learned. Keep a positive attitude and your children should be fine.
2006-09-08 17:57:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Experts can never agree on this "heredity vs. environment" thing. Here is my two cents. My husband also comes from an extremely crazy family. He does suffer from some issues and he sees a therapist for help with that. But I really do believe that a lot of the way he is comes from learned behavior from growing up with parents who were nutty. We are trying to have kids. Do I worry about the possibility that they might have mental health issues? Sometimes. But I believe that the chances are better if the children grow up with sane parents. I'm sure your kids will turn out just fine. You sound like a good mom with a good head on your shoulders.
2006-09-08 16:52:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's good that you're trying to help your kids in the early stages. I was diagnosed with depression at 18 and apparently, I"ve had it all my life. So you can see how hard it is for me to deal with this problem when right now at 23. Take your kids to your family doctor to see if s/he can refer you to someone who can make some kind of diagnoses on them. Whether it'd be a pediatrician or a psychaitrist/psychologist (psychiatrists are cheaper), it's really up to your family doc. Good luck.
2006-09-08 16:40:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom had bp and so does my hubby. 1/4 of my children shows signs of it. Another has developmental delays.
I believe BP is a spectrum illness, and yes, your kids could have inherited it but the good news is that if you are prepared you can minimize problems!
Please seek help from a knowledgeable proferssional and join NAMI.
2006-09-08 20:23:32 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it definitely runs in the family. However, never expect it to happen simply because it may run in the family. Just educate yourself on the illnesses and work now to give your children a stable life.
2006-09-08 16:43:32 · answer #6 · answered by erinjanae 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Environment plays a big part to. So you say you aren't around them that much and your kids seem fine now. You seem to have your head on straight, and kids need that, so they have that on their side. Really, worry can't change something that if it is inevitable. Just enjoy them and bring them up to the best of your ability. genes we can't change, attitude we can.
Best wishes for your family.
2006-09-08 16:38:10 · answer #7 · answered by Rachel☺ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to my psychologist, it is definitely inherited.
Another thing he told me is that if a parent commits suicide, then there's a 50% chance that one or more of their children would too.
Depression has been in both sides of our family for many generations. And my husband, me and both of our children suffer the horror of it.
2006-09-08 16:52:11 · answer #8 · answered by Cookie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can but not necessarily. Keep an eye on your kids behavior - some mental illness comes after puberty.
2006-09-08 16:39:08 · answer #9 · answered by Michael S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Find out what the illnesses are and go to the doctor and ask if there is any chance that these issues are hereditary and if you should be worried.
Though sometimes issues are nurture. Not nature.
2006-09-08 16:39:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋