Replies to '08/01 Extreme Highs and Lows'

  

My understnding is that there are several genes associated with Bipolar Disorder.  The more of these genes that you have, the more chance you have of becoming Bipolar.  Additionally, genes 

are just part of the equation.  Having any number of these genes can make a person more 

suseptable to the disease, but life events, especially trauma and stress can be the catalist 

turns a few burning embers into a full blown blazing fire. 

  

If you are related to a Bipolar person it is imperative that take care of yourself physically and 

emotionally.  This means eating right, sleeping enough, stress reduction techniques, leading 

a low key, low demand lifestyle. 

Bi Polar can be hereditary. 

My 6 year old has it (sadly), but my older brother had it (it went undiagnosed for many year, because he snowed everyone about it) Sadly he ended his life 12 years ago at the age of 18.  On my husbands side his cousin suffers from bi polar disorder  and they are pretty sure his paternal grandmother had it also. 

  

Good luck with your family 

  

Victoria 

It has run in my family for many generations, but back then it was not recognized.   

  

Please do as much research as you can.  I am Bi-Polar and it is so important to understand this disease. 

 

:-) 

As far as I know most mental disorders can have some genetic factors.

The messages I've read on this subject are kind but I'm sure someone will come on and dog on the mother with the 2 boys. I really appreciated how kind Dr. Phil was to her when he said he didn't want to be mean to her, etc. I don't know what it's like to have bi-polar disorder but I have been through post partum depression which I believe was bordering on psychosis. I know the feeling of having thoughts that you don't want to have but you can't help them. Thankfully I had a great mother who, while she failed to make me go to a Dr. or get my husband to, took wonderful care of my daughter until I could stop feeling like I wanted to kill her. Really, it's horrible to have thoughts and feelings that you can't stop because you KNOW they're wrong, you KNOW it's not natural but you feel like you cant say anything or your kids will be taken away or you will be put away. And perhaps, like in that mother's case she might need to have her kids live somewhere else while she gets herself together. I think  though that Dr. Phil was kind and along with Dr. Lawless they will be able to help her. I really hope that somehow her boys can pull themselves back just a little and see that she may not be able to help herself unless she gets the proper medication and therapy. I'm sure they'll get the help they need also to heal from the scars that their mother unintentionally gave them. I will look forward to an update on her and her boys.

You really do a great job Dr. Phil. You literally saved my marriage by one comment that you made a few years ago. I really believe you do great work and while some people may think you're not the best...I'm not one of them!

Best regards

Hi, I heard a couple of years ago that scientists have located a gene for bipolar disorder  And that it can be passed down.  I believe my grandmother was bipolar and I have the disorder as well. 

It is and is not.  My fathers mother was bi-polar and so is my father. And I am his 3rd child and I am. But neither my 2 older sisters or my younger brother been diagnosed. None of their kids are.

None of my 3 kids are.  So there is not really a pattern

Bipolar ll disorder is still being studied but it is well thought that this type of disorder is in your genes. There is parts that are both genetic and environmental. Having someone with bipolar ll disorder gives you a genetic disposition to develop bipolar. There is currently a lot of twin studies that are going on and I can recommend you go look at these sites if you wish to find out more information 

 Bipolar Genetics Project
Bipolar genetics research taking place at the University of Pittsburg.
http://www.pitt.edu/~nimga/

 

Columbia Bipolar Genetic Study
at New york State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University
http://www.bipolar.hs.columbia.edu

 

More about Bipolar Genetics
Some interesting interviews also available
http://www.bipolargenes.org/

 

UCSD Bipolar Genetic Research
at University of California San Diego bipolar disorder genetic research
http://www.bipolar.ucsd.edu/

 

take care

lisa