Genetics certainly seem to play a strong part in my family. My mother had a severe case of bipolar I; I also have bipolar I (& am doing somewhat better than she with the newer meds–she did commit suicide–I’ve had numerous attempts during tmes of extreme emotional pain).

Both my children have been treated for mood disorders. Son for depression his senior year of high school (found a suicide note). He did well with medication & therapy & got off meds in a year & did well in college & grad school & is doing well with a career at age 29.

Daughter had to take a medical leave from college 2nd semester of her sophomore year due to a severe depression. Again medication & therapy allowed her to return & complete college with honors & go on to law school & become a practicing lawyer, but she fears she is showing signs of bipolar. She is married & has decided not to have children so as not to pass on these “tainted” genes.

My mother was diagnosed Type 1 bipolar. Neither my brother nor myself have BP. Nobody in my husband’s family has bipolar. We have a one year old son. What are the odds that he will develop this disease? Many thanks for any help–I have spent many sleepless nights worrying about this.

My mother has had 2 nervous breakdowns & been hospitalized both times,once she’s released she stopped the med.s.(And never told anyone her diagnosis.)Growing up,she was very hateful person.She was always either sleeping or screaming. I rememder when I was about 10 she was sitting at the kitchen table scowling at nothing.Just scowling. I asked her,”How come you never smile?” And she yelled “I do smile just not around you!!” Anyway when I was 20 I was diagnosed as bipolar I with panic disorder. I have worked very hard not to become that scowling,hateful person. My daughter was also diagnosed as bipolar I at the age of 12.(When she threatened to cut a girl with a butterknife in the school cafeteria)

My family is one of the ones participating in a genetic study about bipolar. My youngest daughter was diagnosed with Bipolar I at age 14 and joined a bipolar child study at NIMH. Through the study my middle daughter and I were diagnosed as Bipolar II. My son is ADHD and husband is ADD. I have a nephew (sister’s child)who is Bipolar I and her other son is ADHD. My grandson (15) showed signs of depression last summer and has since been diagnosed as bipolar. My brother has panic attacks; has a son (ADD) and one with (panic attacks). We believe the bipolar comes from my side of the family. My siblings and I believe my father and paternal grandmother were undiagnosed Bipolar as we remember definite episodes of Mania. I have no doubt there is a genetic component, but my son and his wife have one child and another on the way even with the family history.