Is it always true that if u have a mental illness, it will pass onto ur children b/c its in his/ur genes?

Answer 1

That is so not true. The traits could probably be picked up by association with a crazy ( sorry, mentally unstable) family member at an early age (kids are natural mimics). And what is it to be mentally ill anyway?? So you do things a little differently. And when you 'cut' the ties that bind, you actually draw blood, (what's a little bloodshed if it's all in the family??) It was a time, when talking to yourself was suspect, heck, now everyone does it, at least that's what I was just telling myself the other day. It has been said that most mentally unstable people are actually geniuses, I wonder if in light of that, we should put all geniuses in mental institutions??
decisions, decisions, decisions.

Answer 2

People do possess a genetic predisposition for mental illnes, sort of meaning the gene is "underlying" so to speak. I believe in what is referred to as the biopsychosocial model, which says that we

In general medicine, the biopsychosocial model implies treating biological, psychological and social issues as interlinked systems of the body, similar to organ systems such as for instance the respiratory or the cardiovascular system.

The biopsychosocial model draws a distinction between the actual pathological processes that cause disease, and the patient's perception of their health and the effects on it, called the illness.

Illness and disease do not necessarily run together. A patient may be reasonably well (no sickness), but if they feel unwell that's an illness. Similarly, patients with something physically wrong with them are diseased, but they may feel completely all right; they are not ill.

The biopsychosocial model presumes that it is important to handle the two together as they are both important. Proponents say that much money is wasted on healthy patients because the doctor is not treating the illness. From this perspective, a patient has not recovered from a disease until they feel better and their illness is over.

The biopsychosocial model gives great importance to the illness; therefore much more information needs to be gathered during a consultation. As well as the biological signs and symptoms, a clinician must find out about the patient's psychological state, their feelings and beliefs about the illness, and social factors such as their relationship with families and the larger community.

For this reason, the interview process should encourage the patient to give as much information about not only the physical symptoms, but how the illness affects the patient. This is a patient-centred approach, and generally involves open-ended questions designed for the patient to do much of the talking. The patient is also better involved in the treatment, and it includes steps to get over any illness as well as the disease.

As well as a separate existence of disease and illness, the biopsychosocial model states that the workings of the body can affect the mind, and the workings of the mind can affect the body. This means both a direct interaction between mind and body as well as indirect effects through intermediate factors.

There are also theories that the state of mind directly affects the immune system, and there are many carefully-planned studies that show this to be the case (psychoneuroimmunology). Psychosocial factors can cause a biological effect by predisposing the patient to risk factors. An example is that depression by itself may not cause liver problems, but a depressed person may be more likely to have alcohol problems, thus liver damage. It is this increased risk-taking that can also lead to an increased likelihood of disease.

Of course, it is apparent to most people that a pathological disease can have an effect on a person's mind. It is not surprising that some people who have been diagnosed with cancer develop depression.

It is often discussed how to break up the biopsychosocial model, especially in terms of separating the psychological from the social, as these factors are often tightly interwoven.

BY THE WAY FOR THE RECORD THIS IS NOT MY PUBLICATION, IT IS A PUBLICATION MY A FEW PHYSICIANS THUS I TAKE NOE CREDIT FOR THIE PIECE OTHER THAN I LOVED READING AND INTRODUCED TO A CLASS I TEACH

Answer 3

Terrible G's answer is bang on. Bipolar disorder is the most genetic. In identical twins studies, if one twin has it, the other has a 60% chance of getting it. When you have kids if you're bipolar, I think the chance was 1 in 5 of giving to your kids, but the chances of ANY mood disorder (i.e. depression) were about twice that, I think it was. Schizophrenia and depression are somewhat less heritable. The susceptibility to anxiety disorders like OCD and PTSD I think I read are somewhat genetic.

If you plan to have kids and are really worried, you can get genetic counseling. It's not likely even a mentally ill kid would have such bad problems, because you can catch the illness early and treat it, so it never gets as bad as most adults now are.

Answer 4

Depends on the disease state. Bipolar the chances are 50 50. Schizophrenia is much less. Depression has a high rate of genetic passing on as well. Anxiety has the same rate as depression. The studies I have read say around 25 percent. Bipolar is definitely the most likely to pass on. That is what the studies show and what Stephan Staals research shows.

Answer 5

It can be, depending on the illness (like schizophrenia). Just because you have a mental illness doesn't mean your children will have it - you can simply pass on a genetic (and possibly a learned behavioral) predisposition.

Were either of your parents or grandparents afflicted with the same disorder you're wondering about?

Answer 6

I think mental illness is genetic - but it is random if it is passed on or not. . .
You won't know until you have your child

Also there's that whole nature vs. nurture argument -- which means -- nature = the genes you inherited, nurture = how you are raised and how you grow up, environment, influence etc

Answer 7

Unless the mental illnes was caused by a head injury or other external factors, ALL mental illness is hereditary ! All of your genes came from exactly two people, your mom and dad.
If your genes are messed up, you got them from one or the other or both.
The question is how easy is it to get those genes. Each mental illness is different, and you'll have to research each one.

Answer 8

No, the always part isn't true, but in mental illness caused by chemical imbalance it can be passed through genes.
In mental illness caused by envioronment it can be passed on through learned culture.

Answer 9

Some are passed by genes. But just because you have it doesn't mean your kids will get it.

Answer 10

Depends on the illness...bipolar parents can pass this along to offspring but other illness will not. You should search the specific illness on the web.