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Question
Hi libby.
my husband's broher has bipolar and i believe maybe
afew other of his family members may have also had it.
my husband does not suffer from it but he does have socail anxiety disorder. i was just wondering since i just found out that im 6 weeks pregnant, what are the odds that my baby would have bipolar? since some of his family members have it. thank you!
Look for this answer elsewhere: w/ a search engine, or ask another expert. I don't have the figures at my fingertips.
Certainly, the odds are higher than average, but still quite low. However, the numbers of people in his family could raise the odds a little, I think.
Let your pediatrician know and be on the lookout. Early diagnosis and treatment will make all the difference, if needed. The medicines available now are wonderful and will be better still if/when you should need them.
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Answers by Expert:
Libby Bonner
Expertise
I can answers questions from family members of adult patients with serious mental illnesses. I am most familiar with bipolar disorder [manic-depression] and schizophrenia. I use principles of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill to provide clinical info, emotional support, and practical suggestions, including finances/insurance. Emphasis is on family health; family preservation and functioning; coping skills; and effective communications with patients [consumers] and with providers of services. I am not qualified to help families with patients under 18 I cannot answer questions about herbal remedies.
Experience
I have a daughter w/ bipolar illness. Have experience with clinical medicine/psychiatry through my work in a hospital library. I have taken and now monitor the NAMI Family to Family educational program and I facilitate NAMI family caring and sharing evenings.
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