Family History

[cindi71]

Thank you for taking my question. I was diagnosed with bipolar in 1998 and have been on lithium alone for ten years. Being adopted, I have no health history of my own, yet I have two sons. My oldest is almost 18 and I have never had him tested due to all the trauma of my own illness,(denial is big with me). I have had my suspiscions though, and I know my son has too. Does and illness like this tend to skip a generation or more likely to pass directly from parent to child? I am realizing now that I have not done right by my kids to try and keep this under wraps so long for they have seen the effects and the effects of self-medicating and it has not been good for any of us, and I am ready to turn that around but hoping it is not too late. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

[lindahand]

A lot depends on his father. If the two of you have bipolar disorder there is a 50% chance of developing bipolar. If only one of you has it is between a 13% to 30% chance of having bipolar. So there is a fair chance it will skip a generation, but there are no guarantees. Let him go see a pdoc, Better to know early. Denial in this case may cause a lot of harm if he ends up manic or depressed when it could have been avoided with the help of a mood stabilizer.

[kelliestarr]

At least you have your humor :)

[yarrow]

"If anyone wants to come for a summer family reunion picnic, let me know. Bring a video camera! "

Sounds like a lot of fun!   ;-)    

(Reminds me a little of my own family)

[Seph1212]

I don't know if it skips a generation or not...my suspicion is not. Some schools of thought put alcoholism as a concomitant with mood disorders, whether it's some form of self medication or should be in the spectrum. This is important in my family history.

It starts with my great-grandmother (my mother's father's mom). She clearly had manic depressive illness as it was known back then. But these were the pre-lithium days, and here treatment as I know of thorazine, tranquilizers, and extended stays at the state hospital.

My grandfather was a severe alcoholic, and as a result he died young of an accident leaving my grandmother with 7 children.

So that's my mom's generation. All but one of them has had serious issues with alcohol...and one of those with weed, and another with heroin. Three have been treated for depression...one of which became "nuts" as a result. I think she should put down the bong, ADs, and get a correct diagnosis.

Of the 19 in my generation...it's not pretty. About half are substance abusers, or being treated for unipolar depression or bipolar.

If anyone wants to come for a summer family reunion picnic, let me know. Bring a video camera!

[ILADVOCATE]

  There is an elevated risk of a child of a parent with bipolar developing bipolar or another psychiatric disability but the specific rates vary as regards the type of bipolar. It may or may not occur. Its certainly not a given but the genetics do exist for the potential of a child with a parent with bipolar acquiring it as well. The bipolar spectrum runs throughout my family for example. Unfortunately there is no form of genetic testing for bipolar. If you have concerns as regards your son having bipolar you could have him speak to a psychologist or psychiatrist depending on the level of concern of what is happening. One good idea regardless would be to go to family counseling where some of the issues you described could be discussed in a supportive environment.