Bipolar Disorder/Bipolar question

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Expert: - 7/15/2006


Question
Hello

I have a family history of bipolar disorder.  My brother had symptoms of bipolar.  My cousin has bipolar and my aunt has bipolar.  I'm 30 years old and do not have bipolar and do not display any symptoms of bipolar.  My wife does not have any family history of bipolar and my wife and I were thinking of having a child.  What are the chances that my child would inherit bipolar.

Thanks
Sumil

Answer
Hi . . .

I am not a medical geneticist and cannot give you an exact answer. I would say that if we estimate the overall probability of developing bipolar disorder is about 1% that
the risk of that disorder developing in someone with a
family history would be elevated somewhat. But for a real
answer you would have to consult with an expert in medical
genetics.

I'm sorry I cannot be more useful to you.

Best regards . . .

Ivan
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Ivan Goldberg, M.D.

Expertise

I am a psychiatrist/psychopharmacologist with many years of expereince in treating individuals with depressions, manic-depression (Bipolar Disorder), other mood disorders,. I am especially interested in the psychopharmacologic treatment of individuals with so called "treatment-resistant" syndromes.

Experience

I have been on the staff of the National Institute of Mental Health, Columbia's College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. I am currently in full-time private practice in New York City.

A.B. Johns Hopkins University
M.D. N.Y.U. College of Medicine

I am the creator of Depression Central:http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.html

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