^^ you can vote for more than one option in the poll.
Ah right I see, I've voted for a few.
Theories on genetic predispositions to mental illness seem to make sense to me when I consider my family history. Having family who have experienced mental illness makes it easier for them to relate to how I'm feeling, and vice versa, which is nice, makes you feel less alone with things.
I have a mum with undiagnosed OCD, so that counts.
I had an uncle (who died when I was a tiny baby) who was suffering from some sort of paranoia. Things he would do is like refuse to walk on cracks in pavements and also refused to turn around (he would walk backwards, even if it meant going backwards for miles). I dont know that much about him though.
Wannabe CPN : -)
"He who is tired of Weird Al is tired of life." - Homer Simpson "I hear those voices that will not be drowned" Sanity is a nasty disease. The world would be a happier place without it. - Rilic
RIP Kat 4th July 1987- 11th June 2013
My grandma is bipolar, used to be mega unstable, and also a bit of a bitch too, which i suspect stems from other issues, cos she feels the need to always control everyone around her and be the centre of attention. And she doesnt seem to be able to control things like spending/drinking once she gets going.
Stuff like that is taboo but apparently her dad was "more or less the same", no specifics given.
Mums a bit messed up but i think thats due to being brought up by the aforementioned grandmother, given that some of it bordered on abuse.
And my baby bro has sort of depressed tendencies which im unsure about.
He was no longer jean valjean but no. 24601 -les miserable
Some of life's mysteries will never be solved, such as why, after spending an entire evening listenong to Bach, do I find myself humming "the birdie song".......
I am reaching, but i fall, and the stars are black and cold, as i stare into the void of a world that cannot hold- les miserables
By the same token, why would anyone have children if you know there's a risk they will develop a mental health problem/be bullied/lose a close friend to cancer?
Because I don't think mental health problems make life not worth living.
Why do you apologise for asking? I hope I didn't sound aggressive or owt.
I just think that there are a whole load of things that decrease standard of living, and if we all decided not to breed because of family tendency towards cancer/mental health problems/hypertension/ADHD then the human race would die out.
But you do have a point, and I think it's up to the individual to make a judgement call. There are a few genetic conditions which I personally would consider as sufficient to not want to pass onto my child, and would probably undergo IVF in such cases. However for me, mental health has nowhere near sufficient clear cut genetic basis for me to consider it a reason to potentially not have children. But everyone draws the line in different places and that's OK.
This could apply to any illness/disease. Ie. if you knew you were a carrier for something. Some things can be screen for. I'm personally not going to ever have kids because my family is screwed on both sides, and not just with MH stuff, but things like cancer too and everyone always dies quite young (except my dad's mum who lived til she was 80). And my mum thinks the family is cursed...
In addition to all the death/illness/crazyness there are a tonne of twins on both sides so, chances are if I ever had kids they'd be Octuplets.
Onto the crazy-ness:
The following content has been hidden - Reason : Crazy family
My mum's mum is crazy-crazy. One story involved her being sectioned for (amongst other things) cleaning the windows (outside) at 2am, and refusing to let the doctor in the house unless he took his shoes off... My aunts on both sides both have food issues, which we gossip about but otherwise sweep under the carpet ("She's an adult, she can do what she wants").
Everyone on Dad's side is a depressed/self-destructive alcoholic. And I have just tried to think of a counter-example and failed, but in fairness, most of his side died young. Legend has it one of his uncles was a famous writer who used to write awesome manuscripts and then get drunk and burn them. However, one of his cousins 'kindly' helped him out by stealing some of the manuscripts one night and having them published under his own name... :p
It doesn't matter where you come from; it matters where you go.
No-one gets remembered for the things they didn't do.
We won't all be here this time next year,
so while you can take a picture of us.
We're definitely going to hell,
but we'll have all the best stories to tell.
I dont think id have kids personally, not because of the genetic element but because of what living with a parent with mental health problems has done in my family. Its been going on a while with every generation messing up the next one and im wprried id be the same
He was no longer jean valjean but no. 24601 -les miserable
Some of life's mysteries will never be solved, such as why, after spending an entire evening listenong to Bach, do I find myself humming "the birdie song".......
I am reaching, but i fall, and the stars are black and cold, as i stare into the void of a world that cannot hold- les miserables
Neither of my parents have ever been diagnosed, but I believe both have been offered anti-depression & have almost certainly suffered with depression. They're both very regular drinkers as well. I left them off the poll though.
I've had two aunts who committed suicide (one schitzophrenic & one anorexic) & a cousin as well, though I never met any of them.
So I will start with seen by a doctor insanity:
My Mum has had over the years anorexia, bulimia, depression, anxiety, agoraphobia and it has been suggested that she has BPD (which I would not disagree with).
My brother (tho he is OK now) has had depression and anxiety and had to leave the army as he shook so much (which was attributed to anxiety) and has seen both Army and mainstream professionals.
Another brother had severe school phobia and saw CAMHS and a counsellor.
Another had anger issues and saw CAMHS.
Another brother had depression for a while and probably anger issues.
Now amongst other relatives I have my own thoughts about insanity:
My Maternal Nan was abusive towards my mother but acted really nice later in life like she forgot so I think she was doollally.
My Maternal Grandad is so narcissistic and manipulative, he thinks he knows a lot more than he does but really he hasn't actually got a clue about what is going on in the real world.
My father (ARGH I HATE CALLING HIM THAT) had anger issues and lied a hell of a lot.
So basically I have one semi-sane brother. :p I jest. My brothers are all a lot better behaved at the moment and also a lot better MH wise- My little bro was fine after he officially left school and that stress was gone, the angry one has a little control at the moment (until something happens) and the shaky one is doing pretty well. The other one I mentioned is in a stable relationship and has 2 children but is not doing a great job with them so I reckon they will end up with some kind of issues, lol.
O and my mum is now in a relationship with my widowed stepgrandad so like thats totes normal.
I personally never want to pass on my genes as they are **** but I think its cool for other people to. I guess its down to personal choice!
