2006-10-29 03:54:26 · 20 answers · asked by cruisingalong 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Yes it is. They have tried to track it down with the Human Genome, but they have not yet succeeded. However the evidence is there. In the early 80's one scientist researched the meticulous records of 3000 Amish families. (They usually intermarry among their own families, and they keep impeccable familial records.) 170 families had a recurring occurrence of "Bad Blut." A German connotation for "Bad Blood." The symptoms seemed to be very telling for Manic-Depressive syndrome or Bipolar Disease. Depression tacks in families too (not from this study) more frequently in females. Schizophrenia also seems to track in families, not as dramatically as the Bipolar does, but it is a factor. One son of John Nash, the schizophrenic Nobel Laureate who was the antagonist in the book and movie "A Beautiful Mind" was also schizophrenic. Not portrayed that way in the movie, but in real life it was true. This is evident in two families I have known very well. The son hated his mother, who was a terribly disturbed diagnosed Bipolar. Then by the time he was 27 he too was seriously bipolar, but his younger brother was not. In the other situation the mother was schizophrenic and never diagnosed, the grandmother also seemed to be Schizophrenic according to the problems that the family frequently related about her, and the fact that she died in a mental institution. One daughter was diagnosed as schizophrenic but her brother was not, so in that case it seemed to travel on the female side.
2006-10-29 04:30:49 · answer #1 · answered by arnp4u 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They still consider mental illness being hereditary a myth because they are still unsure if they really are or aren't. In some illnesses like Depression and Schizophrenia they say it is more than likely to run in families, but some people get it without having anyone in the family having it.
2006-10-29 13:08:30 · answer #2 · answered by hehmommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certain mental disorders can be hereditary such as schizophrenia. But doctors can't for sure say why only some people have hereditary links to mental disorders. Best thing to do if you're worried is to get checked out. If you feel down, depressed or worried, seek help. Don't be embarassed. Medications/therapy can do worlds of good.
2006-10-29 11:57:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
mental illness is a general term to describe many different types of disabilities. some mental illnesses are hereditary. For example: Schizophrenia runs in families and usually close relatives of schizophrenic patients are more likely to develop the disease than those who are not related to someone with schizophrenia. The risk of inheriting schizophrenia is 10% in individuals who have one immediate family member with the disease, and 40% if the disease affects both parents or an identical twin.
2006-10-29 11:58:59 · answer #4 · answered by chris p 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, some mental illnesses are hereditary.
2006-10-29 11:56:25 · answer #5 · answered by mocaqueen30 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The chances of mental illness increase with a family history but anyone can become mentally ill at any time a psychotic break can occur from extreme stress.
2006-10-29 11:56:28 · answer #6 · answered by Kelly female praying mantis 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes but don't dwell on it! If you see any Constancy in your family tree then you could get it looked into with your doctor. Other wise don't go looking for something to explain what is happening in your life. You may just be going through a new and difficult or stressful experience and this is how you want to explain it off. Just look for help if you really need it. Don't keep it to yourself, tell someone else what you are thinking and feeling. Good Luck and best wishes
2006-10-29 12:02:12 · answer #7 · answered by freesample1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, yes, yes. Bi-Polar Manic Depression is a chemical imbalance to the nervous system in the brain. This imbalance causes severe mood swings and it can be brought under control with doctor care and medication. With todays technology no one should have to suffer depression. Both my mother and mother-in-law had total nervous breakdowns. I myself have had meltdowns but with knowledge comes treatment. I have never been instutionalized because symptons were caught early and treated.
2006-10-29 12:43:56 · answer #8 · answered by noisychatterbox 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some are, though they can also be caused/influenced by things like substance abuse, accidents or injuries. Some people have a genetic predisposition, so they are more 'at risk' to develop it, but it doesn't nessicarily mean that they will get it, just because it's in their genes.
2006-10-29 11:58:38 · answer #9 · answered by yama 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes it can be, but if a mom has a mental illness, it doesn't mean that the kid will, although they may.
2006-10-29 12:17:41 · answer #10 · answered by Becky 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋