And does anyone know how likely it is to have a schizophrenic or bipolar child if one has parents or other family members with said mental illnesses?

The question is pretty straightforward, but yeah, my father is schizophrenic, my brother was bipolar (has had a major manic and major depressive episode), and my boyfriend is/was bipolar, on medication, and has had a several manic episodes. His grandfather was also schizophrenic.

To cut to the chase, I was wondering if any of you with similar backgrounds have ever had any children that so far have been mentally healthy. Please help me out. I’m a few weeks pregnant, and while this probably won’t determine my ultimate decision (keeping it vs. abortion), I’m really nervous about this and just want some sort of answer for some sort of security. I’d really appreciate an honest answer — not one from some ‘hole that likes to rag on people in shotty situations.

Very difficult to understand, distinguish between the disorders. Book is even more confusing!!!! What is the most important points on mental health disorders? Delusions, Delirium, Alzheimers, Schzophenia, Depression, Bipolar – Manic depression vs. hypomania? So boring…..and confusing!! Please help if can. LVN training in RN program w/ no psych experience.

I just read a post in which a woman with bipolar disorder asked if she should have a child. I know that I’m going to draw a lot of criticism for posting this, but read the rest of this post. First of all, let me say that I have firsthand experience with mental illness. I have depression, anxiety, and ADHD, all of which have genetic components. Because of the fact that these disorders are often hereditary, I have seriously questioned whether it’s a good idea to risk having a child who would have those issues. I can’t help but think that if someone knows that he/she has a hereditary mental illness, he/she should seriously consider whether it’s a good idea to risk having a child who will suffer the way that he/she has suffered. Of course, just because a parent has an illness like depression or bipolar disorder doesn’t mean that the child will necessarily have it, but the risk IS there! Many people focus on their desire to have children rather than the possible issues their children would
face if they had them. However, when you have children, it isn’t just about the parents, anymore. It is (or should be) mainly about the children and their best interests. More people should focus on their prospective children rather than themselves when considering whether to have children.

Today most, thats most gene studies are aimed at cancer and hereditary diseases !
They are not studying how to cure the most common problems at hand ! They think we should keep those people medicated. Well in doing so, those people are unable to lead a full life because they end up at 18 having to fight to get SSI, to afford staying on medication..and then giving up their job or losing their job because they can’t make much money while while on SSI !!!!! Short story their life has been made abnormally difficult as well ! My question is: For all those people that have mental illnesses, does stem cells provide any hope to curing those brain disorders…even to the point it does not become hereditary….. Does stem cells hold any hope at all for those people ?????
People who have ADHD, Schitzephrenia, Mood disorders, Bipolar, etc
Usually the truth of having mental disorders for some people is having high ambitions…. theres a difference in not knowing what your missing out on in and knowing..it’s hurtful ! For most diagnosed and med-treated patients of multiple disorders…they pass them to their children who live through the same thing they did ! In my opinion it is inhumane to not focus on stem cells for curing this ! People think diseases and other things are more important…. This is continuously for the most part hereditary !!

I want to go for a 2 year culinary arts class at MSU but I have Schizo-affective Disorder Bipolar Type. I need to be shown and helped with work and Collage teachers rarely hold your hand so to speak. I want to go but I don’t think I’ll be able to do the work or keep up. I just don’t know.

depression right now. The problem is I can’t get in to see my new psychiatrist until 2-13-08. What can I do until then to stop this from becoming a major episode( I had one over the summer and was in the hospital for it, a depression, and a mania 18 months ago). Thanks.
I do currently take several medications:
Seroquel, Topamax, Valium, and Ambien CR. The Ambien was new prescribed by a reg. doc in exchange for trazadone for sleep but trazadone has antidepressant properties as well as sedative ones. I may just have to go back on the trazadone until I see my new pdoc.

I gotta stop asking for help, but I didn’t get too much my last question, and I really need help.

I am Bipolar type 1. I am severely depressed, often (Especially now) suicidal.

I used to self injure but pretty much turned away from that out of laziness and a lack of interest in anything. Including SI.

A few people told me I am schizophrenic as I have chronic hallucinations and convulsions, but others told me that is my sever Bipolar.

Read the rest of this entry

Well I was wondering if mental illness is hereditary or if it’s just My Family that has a problem? I have an Aunt, a cousin, and a Brother that have been diagnosed with skytzophrenia and another brother who has the characteristics! I have a Cousin who was diagnosed as bipolar! My Father and my Sister haven’t been diagnosed with anything, but they are definately ill. my Mother’s diagnosis was just Mental Illness! I have two Aunts and a Cousin with multiple personalities. I am agorophobic but thats not where the voices come from!

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that has symptoms of mania and depression. Discover some symptoms of bipolar disorder, including rapid speech, restlessness and depression, withadvice from a mental health counselor in this free video on therapy and counseling. Expert: Virginia Intelisano Bio: Virginia Intelisano is a master’s level mental health counselor who works for Personal Enrichment Through Mental Health Services. Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz

I have spoken to a doctor…I just want other feedback.
Has anyone out there felt uncomfortable after being treated for bipolar disorder? Like being depressed was getting to be the “normal you” before treatment, and now that you’re being treated you don’t feel like “yourself”. I don’t want to go back to depression, but I noticed this feeling. Anyone out there have anything like this?