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Hi, My 62 year old mother in law was recently diagnosed with Bipolar. For the past almost 20 years she was not around and wanted nothing to do with her children or family. This all started after a really bad divorce and a hideous custody battle. After reading about Bipolar I learned that the divorce was probably the trigger but I'm sure the sings were there already except no one paid much attention to it. My husband is now 30 and with the exception of being a little obsessive sometimes he does not seem to have inherited the disease but we have been thinking about starting a family and I wanted to know what are the chances of our children having Bipolar? Thank you.
Mental illnesses are multifactorial illnesses (caused by the interaction of various genetic and environmental factors). Causes may include a reaction to environmental stresses, genetic factors,
biochemical imbalances, or a combination of these. Because genetic factors are involved, when one family member is affected, other close relatives may be at increased risk. At this time, no genetic
tests are available for mental illness, and therefore prenatal diagnosis is not possible.
http://genetics.emory.edu/pdf/Emory_Human_Genetics_Family_History_Mental_Illness...
Because I am not a trained mental health professional, I have provided you the link above as a jumping off point for finding the information that you are seeking. There is a considerable variation in what the genetic risks for bipolar disorder are in those with a family member or a more extensive family history of the condition could be estimated as. The real question is, would that risk (which in your case would seem to be very minimal)be a deal-breaker for having a family? Bipolar disorder is not the worst nor is it the only condition that has a link to family heredity, therefore, having children is something that shouldn't be determined by the potential onset of a condition (usually) much later on in the child's life. We all hope that our children are healthy, medically - emotionally - mentally - and even if we sometimes are faced with an illness taking that away at some point, we shouldn't stop having kids altogether or push a child away from our hearts and minds so we don't get too attached, because of those possibilities. The whole world could end tomorrow, possibly. I hope that I have gotten my point across successfully, please let me know if I can answer any other questions.
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Answers by Expert:
Jennifer
Expertise
I am available to answer questions of a general nature about bipolar disorder, provide online resources that address bipolar disorder in a more in-depth manner and sources to serve as a starting point for those looking for substantial information on the illness from a healthcare professional approach. I am not a doctor or a psychiatrist, my background is based in personal experience and extensive reading in my own process of understanding my diagnosis. I can also take questions that deal with the social issues surrounding bipolar disorder such as relationships; coping for family, friends, and the patient; marriage, choosing to start a family and related. Answers to questions of a legal nature will provide general information but anyone with a serious legal problem should consult an attorney licensed to practice in their jurisdiction.
Experience
I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder type II in 2000; as a SSI beneficiary, have experience and knowledge of the limitations and processes involved with the program; I understand the moods, the feelings, the worries, the doubts, and a lot more that there's not enough room to express - from the personal experiences of being bipolar. I have first-hand experience with the challenges of returning to college following hospitalizations and various combinations of medications that were tried before my doctor and I finally arrived at the most effective medication program for my treatment. My family and I have learned so much about each other in the process of dealing with the highs and lows that followed my diagnosis. I've had relationships with someone who also is bipolar and someone that is not - romantic relationships are no easier on either side! I feel that many of the ideas and beliefs that people have regarding bipolar disorder and those who have the condition promote the continuation of social stigmas associated with mental illness in general, and after learning from others with bipolar disorder, hope to guide others who may be trying to navigate the government health care system,& share information on other possible means of obtaining assistance with the cost of medications and/or mental health services and limited financial assistance programs for meeting basic living expenses for qualified individuals, dealing with problems from or with family & loved ones, co-occurring substance abuse problems, medications and side-effects (and when it feels like nothing will work, or why it's not helping the situation to ask whether or not a patient has taken their 'meds' when they seem hostile or moody to those around them).
Education/Credentials
I have a B.A. in Liberal Arts and will earn my J.D. upon completion of the Spring 2011 term after which I will be preparing to take the multi-state bar exam.
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