can bipolar disorder be passed down from a parent?

Answer 1

It seems so.
My mother suffers from bipolar disorder, and so do I.

Answer 2

Doctors and researchers don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. But a variety of biologic, genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved in causing and triggering episodes of this illness.

Evidence indicates that differences in the chemical messengers between nerve cells in the brain (neurotransmitters) occur in people who have bipolar disorder. In many cases, people with a bipolar disorder may have a genetic disposition for the disorder. The abnormality may be in genes that regulate neurotransmitters. However, not everyone with a family member who has bipolar disorder will develop the disease.

Factors that may contribute to or trigger episodes of bipolar disorder include drug abuse and stressful or psychologically traumatic events.

Answer 3

Bipolar Disorder Runs in Families

(October 2003) -- Bipolar disorder is often considered a condition that reflects genetic influence. A new twin study reveals just how genetic the disorder is.

If one identical twin develops bipolar disorder, the likelihood of the other twin developing the condition is 85 to 89%. The high probability of double trouble comes not from the environment the twins inhabited together while they were developing but from the genes they share, reports a team of British and Canadian investigators. Only15% of instances of bipolar disorder can be attributed to factors specific to individuals or to their unique life experiences outside the family of origin.

What's more, the genetic loading for bipolar disorder is restricted to liability to mania.

Interestingly, the study also demonstrates that unipolar depression is not simply a less severe form of bipolar disorder. Only 10% of twins with unipolar major depression had a co-twin with bipolar depression.

Nevertheless, there is some genetic overlap; susceptibility to bipolar disorder seems to make sufferers susceptible to unipolar depression as well. Fifty percent of the co-twins with bipolar disorder also had unipolar disorder.

Answer 4

It goes back to the Nature vs. Nurture argument. An untreated, unmanaged bipolar person who pro-creates will typically end up making a disaster out of not only their own lives but the lives of their offspring. The children of mentally ill parents will, by nurture, typically end up with a host of pathological neuroses and will need a competent therapist to help them sort it all out at some point - otherwise - the cycle will repeat itself and continue to do so ad nauseum. Bottom line is - if you are bipolar by actual diagnosis - get help - stick to your therapists treatment plan and pray to God that your children will understand the illness you have and not emulate it. Raising well adjusted children is difficult enough when you DO have all of your faculties. Throw in a few disorders and add a neurotic spouse to the mix and there's no telling how destructive the environment can be.

Answer 5

Some say yes and some say no- in my experience-it is a learned behavior-classied as one of the easiet mental/emotional disorders to be healed--as my psychiatrist told my husband and me..Is it easy to heal-no way???You have to look at how you were treated in family situations, it is due to "supressed anger turn inward". I have had counselling for the same situation- it has been a long,hard --"eye opening" situation but faith in a higher power, faith in myself and the help of other people who have walked the same path have given me back my self worth, hope in my own situation, answers to many questions and release from fear of abuse.I am grateful for my life which does count for something and I pray that anyone else suffering from this affliction would seek help both professional and from people who have conquered bi-polar. This is how I was cured and how I continue to talk to and help others like me-DJ

Answer 6

Yes, it is genetic. It can also be passed down to you from other relatives as well.

Answer 7

passed down, i don't know but it does tend to run in families.

Answer 8

yeah remember half of your moms and dads dna is of you
23 chromosomes each so yes it can be passed on

Answer 9

Yes it can. Very common.