my mother used to hear voices, she has never been diagnosed with anything... my youngest aunt has body image problem (make a loan to have transplants while having no money to raise her child) and is very suspicious of others... she also sees things sometimes i think... and whenever she passes by a cemetery she would act like shes possessed and scare everyone in the family (jumping on the ground, screaming, fainting etc)
suppose they have some illness, what are the chances of me having it as well...? is it true that going out a lot and make acquaintance with a lot of people will help keep me healthy and why?
2007-07-26 10:41:40 · 5 answers · asked by azu 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
It sounds like both your mom and your aunt have their own problems, which may never have been treated.
Your aunt's cemetary behavior is bizarre. And yes, it does cause me think of demon posession. It is certainly far from normal. And you give the impression that it is based on her location at the time. (Something I have been witness to in the past each time we would be on a certain road, accompanied by one particular person who was demon posessed)
I would not just assume that you will have problems with your mood or behavior. Not all is genetic, and not all is environmental either. You are your own person. You have the ability to make your own choices to love rather than to fear.
You have a wonderful idea, yes, do, get out and meet many people. Interact with people in groups - in safe settings. Volunteer your time working alongside others or maybe visiting with elderly folks. Go with the attitude that there is something you can learn from each person you meet. You will listen and choose what you choose to do for yourself . It's not that you'll trust everyone. But your exposure will help to give you discernment. It will cause you to think and to expand your horizons (beyond what your mom's are) And it will help you to mature, hopefully, as you build on the person you are already, a marriage partner will emerge, and you will choose well.
Try to live a balanced life, open to doing many activities and meeting many people. Build your skills in a variety of ways.
This will help you toward living as healthy as possible.
2007-07-26 11:11:56 · answer #1 · answered by Hope 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are sincerely concerned about the possibility of a genetic mental health issue you should seek a psychiatric evaluation. For woman especially, alot of conditions have a later onset date, meaning you may already be an adult before you have any symptoms of a the illness you've had all your life. This makes it harder to get treatment and medication. For example say the you're 45 and you have your first psychotic episode even if your famliy checked you into a facility for help you could legally check yourself out. Versus if a child is placed in a facility they would probably stay there until the condition was controllable. Socialization has its own benefits but the thing to do here is be proactive. Seek an evaluation. Maybe even start keeping a diary so that you can be more aware of any personality changes or bizarre activities. Most importantly don't be ashamed or prideful mental health issues are just like any other medical condition, if you have a problem seek treatment.
2007-07-26 10:58:38 · answer #2 · answered by katy_zpb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mental illness is genetic, so yes, the chances are greater that you may have it, HOWEVER...
IT IS ALSO TREATABLE!!!!
And yes, developing healthy habits and relationships can help keep you healthy. The important things is to be very aware of yourself and your moods and personality. If you ever have the symptoms your family has had, be willing to see a doctor right away instead of waiting until the symptoms get worse.
I think with your self-awareness, you can have a stable, productive life, even if you are later diagnosed with a mental illness.
2007-07-26 10:49:42 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've heard your concerns from many of my patients' relatives. "Am I normal because my family is nuts". The answer is almost always "Yes, you are normal." Mental illness is often inherited. However, you seemed to have avoided this trait of your family's gene pool.
2007-07-26 10:59:55 · answer #4 · answered by Max 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im pretty sure it's not passed down, they are just kinda weird.... but your fine, and most likely don't have it =]
2007-07-26 10:46:05 · answer #5 · answered by Miss Tragedy™ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋