Bipolar dose it run in familys?

[SpanksTheMonkey]

My partners brother seams to really struggle with bipolar hes in and out of hospitalization from time to time poor guy. I'm wondering what the chances are of my partner himself also having bipolar. He gets bouts of depression that seam to come and go quite often but I've never really seen him in a manic state so I'm not sure...

[Simon Attwood]

People don't have, or have not, bipolar, despite what DSM IV might suggest

 

Bipolar is but a label we give to an extreme of something that in it's milder form, is just human behaviour.

 

Bipolar may, partly, have a connection to genetics, but it is primarily a product of nurture (or a lack of it at key stages during early brain development)

[Simon Attwood]

So I suppose, to answer your question; your partner's brother's behaviour had a lot to do with his environment during early development and there are chances that your partner experienced a similar environment during his early development. But nothing is sure, and people don't always react the same way to a given environment.

 

Yes, Bipolar behaviours can run in the family, but mainly due to experiencing similar environments and experiences, because often, if parents are neglectful to one child, there's a good chance they will be as neglectful to all their children. But this is not always the case.

[SpanksTheMonkey]

So I suppose, to answer your question; your partner's brother's behaviour had a lot to do with his environment during early development and there are chances that your partner experienced a similar environment during his early development. But nothing is sure, and people don't always react the same way to a given environment.

 

Yes, Bipolar behaviours can run in the family, but mainly due to experiencing similar environments and experiences, because often, if parents are neglectful to one child, there's a good chance they will be as neglectful to all their children. But this is not always the case.

 

Well I don't know if I agree I think its a mental illness and those can attack anyone not just victims of abuse. His parents are prob 2 of the nicest people I have ever met and thats just the honest truth.

 

Thats not to say they didn't have probs growing up all familys go thu there struggles of course. And I wasn't around to witness any of it but yeah I just can't see this being a symptom of abuse Thanks for taking the time to reply tho

 

Oh also forgot to add the brother is on medication and its when he doesn't take it that he has these rough patches...

[Simon Attwood]

I never mentioned abuse

[SpanksTheMonkey]

I never mentioned abuse

 

 

Yes, Bipolar behaviours can run in the family, but mainly due to experiencing similar environments and experiences, because often, if parents are neglectful to one child, there's a good chance they will be as neglectful to all their children. But this is not always the case.

 

Isent it really the same thing?

[SpanksTheMonkey]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Madness-Explained-Psychosis-Human-Nature/dp/0140275401/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281866423&sr=8-2

 

If you have something helpful to add then please feel free but do not spam my thread with offers to buy books thanks!

 

Gawd the spammers have become truly high tech actually trying to respond to people now and then sell them something that just erks me...

[Jilly Bean]

I think mental illnesses have a big genetic component, yes.

 

Your BF may be more predisposed to depression, rather than M/D, however, but it tends to come from the same source, even if it manifests a little differently.

[SpanksTheMonkey]

I think mental illnesses have a big genetic component, yes.

 

Your BF may be more predisposed to depression, rather than M/D, however, but it tends to come from the same source, even if it manifests a little differently.

 

Thanks for that Jilly yeah I think your right hes said he wants to see a doc so thats a good start. Another thing thats been on my mind is we want to start a family some time in the next few years. But theres mental illness in both of our family's histories so thats a bit of a worry..

[Jilly Bean]

Thanks for that Jilly yeah I think your right hes said he wants to see a doc so thats a good start. Another thing thats been on my mind is we want to start a family some time in the next few years. But theres mental illness in both of our family's histories so thats a bit of a worry..

 

Hon - I think there's mental illness in everyone's family. Seriously. Still no guarantee your children will have anything, though. Genetics are a bit of a crap shoot sometime...

 

If there isn't schizophrenia, I'd go ahead and breed.

[carhill]

One datapoint I'm personally aware of. Half-brother/sister (same father; different mothers) are medicated bi-polar. Father died from complications of Parkinson's and psychotic dementia. Brother has one child; sister was advised not to have children because of potential genetic problems not related to bi-polar. Brother is mid 40's; sister mid 50's.

 

When sis is in the manic phase (and 'forgets' her meds), I guard my gonads.

[Simon Attwood]

If you have something helpful to add then please feel free but do not spam my thread with offers to buy books thanks!

 

Gawd the spammers have become truly high tech actually trying to respond to people now and then sell them something that just erks me...

 

You mentioned mental illness. The book I linked to is probably one of the most important books in recent years on the general subject. In a ground breaking analysis, Richard Bentall unravels the history, myths and fallacies of mental illness and provides an insight in to where and why psychology and psychiatry has been stuck down so many dead ends with misconceptions and dogma.

 

I wasn't selling anything. (try as I might, Amazon still aren't paying me commission )

 

It wasn't intended as spam, but if you feel it was spam, I will happily remove the link from your thread

[Simon Attwood]

I think mental illnesses have a big genetic component, yes.

 

Current research points to anecdotal evidence towards genetic predisposition towards behavioural dysfunctions such as bipolar, BPD, DNP, etc. But a far greater research is now going in to dysfunctions of the neurotransmitters and receptors in the prefrontal cortex that have been a product of stressfull experiences in the very early development of the brain. Even brief periods of high stress on the baby, in the womb, or in the early infant years have shown to have lasting effects on later behaviours in to adulthood. A baby is not born with a fully developed brain, much of the prefrontal cortex develops in the first few years after birth. "Bipolar", "Schizophrenia", etc. have been studied uner fMRI and the key feature in these behavioural abnormalities takes place in the prefrontal cortex, most notably the orbitofrontal cortes and the anterior cingulate. Dysfunction in the regulation of cortisol, serotonin and dopamine play a key role in the lack of regulation of behaviour that is systemic in the behavioural problems associated towards bipolar, schizophrenia, BPD, etc.

 

Of course, simplifying something in to being a "mental illness" is so much easier to consume.

[TaraMaiden]

If you're going to spout great swathes of official-sounding technical data, at least have the good grace to provide a dictionary.

 

Good grief, what if anything, does that little bit of unintelligible burble actually add to the thread?

 

You're not talking to people, you're talking AT them.

 

There is such a thing as trying to sound too clever by half, and looking twice the idiot...

[SpanksTheMonkey]

You mentioned mental illness. The book I linked to is probably one of the most important books in recent years on the general subject. In a ground breaking analysis, Richard Bentall unravels the history, myths and fallacies of mental illness and provides an insight in to where and why psychology and psychiatry has been stuck down so many dead ends with misconceptions and dogma.

 

I wasn't selling anything. (try as I might, Amazon still aren't paying me commission )

 

It wasn't intended as spam, but if you feel it was spam, I will happily remove the link from your thread

 

Perhaps it wasn't your intent but when you link nothing but a site that has a book for sale and nothing else other then the smiley of course. Most will see that as just another version of a spammer thats just logical. It would have even been better to explain the meaning/general idea of the book rather then to just post a link like that.. Thanks for the intent anyways..

 

If you're going to spout great swathes of official-sounding technical data, at least have the good grace to provide a dictionary.

 

Good grief, what if anything, does that little bit of unintelligible burble actually add to the thread?

 

You're not talking to people, you're talking AT them.

 

There is such a thing as trying to sound too clever by half, and looking twice the idiot...

 

Agreed I know he/she means well but also honestly I can't even read a huge block of words like that anyways I need some one to talk to me as you have said not at me...

[SpanksTheMonkey]

Hon - I think there's mental illness in everyone's family. Seriously. Still no guarantee your children will have anything, though. Genetics are a bit of a crap shoot sometime...

 

If there isn't schizophrenia, I'd go ahead and breed.

 

I'm not to sure about the schizophrenia ide have to ask my mom I know there was some mega hefty mental illness going around in earlier generations of my family sadly I myself have some learning disability's.

 

So far my bf has only mentioned bipolar on his side its just that I hate to bring a child into the world when I know theirs a higher chance they will suffer needlessly. I don't think its going to be a huge issue but I'll just to do some checking thanks again Jilly...

 

One datapoint I'm personally aware of. Half-brother/sister (same father; different mothers) are medicated bi-polar. Father died from complications of Parkinson's and psychotic dementia. Brother has one child; sister was advised not to have children because of potential genetic problems not related to bi-polar. Brother is mid 40's; sister mid 50's.

 

When sis is in the manic phase (and 'forgets' her meds), I guard my gonads.

 

I'm guessing this was/is your wife?

[Crusoe]

As someone who has both lived with and studied bipolar for years I would just like to say that Mr Attwood has answered this question perfectly. The man is no idiot and I would like to thank him for sharing is knowledge.

 

Spanks, your chances of your fella being bipolar are roughly 25% more likely than a fella that doesn't have a sibling or parent with bipolar.

[carhill]

I'm guessing this was/is your wife?

 

Nope, Bmf's wife

[Simon Attwood]

I would just like to say that Mr Attwood has answered this question perfectly. The man is no idiot and I would like to thank him for sharing is knowledge.

 

Thanks Crusoe!!

 

Don't mind Tara, She likes to try to pick fights with me. I think she does it for attention. I think she likes me

[PandorasBox]

IMO, I think genetics and environment can both play a role. I have heard to, there are diffrent forms of bi-polar.

[worlybear]

My oldest son was diagnosed with bi-polar last year.(He is 27.) I have 3 other grown up children and an 8 yr old. They all have the same father. None of the other grown up children have bi-polar and so far, so good with the 8 yr old. My exH was in denial about our son's bi-polar, but ,on reflection that's probably because he exhibits similar symptoms himself. My ex father in law also struggled during his adult years and tried to commit suicide, so I feel very strongly that there is a genetic link, in this case, paternally.

It IS a recognised medical condition but it can be controlled with meds and family/professional support. The problems I have encountered with my son is that when he takes his meds he feels better.... and so stops taking his meds. He finds it very difficult to manage the condition successfully by himself.

Putting things in perspective, I think it is important to realise that people all have varying strengths and weaknesses, that's what makes everyone different-I met a highly respected international best selling author with the condition last year and she has made a fantastic success of her life

Life for my son , in recent years has been stormy and there has been very difficult times for all of us.

I don't agree that upbringing has influenced my son's behaviour- he grew up in a very loving, supportive family but as he reached his late teens he behaved very oddly. It is easy now to look back and wonder how none of us realised that he was ill (we put it down to teenage hormones.)and it was only when he was diagnosed (long story) that I found out about grandfather's suicide attempt.

However I do not regret having him despite everything- God forbid that we ever go down the terrible route of "the perfect race."

I understand your doubts but nobody knows how their children will turn out. Just love them ,enjoy them and accept them for who they are.