Bipolar History

Athar · 05-05-2008, 05:31 PM

Hi

I'm possibly being really stupid here, so sorry :).

My mum has 'severe unstable' bipolar disorder (was diagnosed when I was twelve). I won't go into things here, but our relationship completely deteriorated, she hates me, etc, and things are really difficult.

Anyway, she was sectioned again three and a half months ago and haven't seen her since. Although she moved out a few years ago, some of her stuff is still around as every so often she comes back to crash at ours, and I found a psychiatric report from just over four months ago. I know this is really horrible, but I ended up reading it. It was talking about her background and childhood and in it, the report said her parents were very caring and there was no violence or anything at home, but that her mother had bipolar disorder which required frequent hospitalisations as well.

Now I'm a bit freaked out as it seems to be a trend for the women in our family get it. Does it put me at a greater risk of bipolar disorder now that there seems to be a family history? I don't know, combined with the fact I'm not exactly 'mentally healthy' myself at the moment (I have depression), I'm getting kind of concerned.

Does anyone have an opinion on this?

Stellata · 05-05-2008, 06:58 PM

Well, it's possible. I would remain observant of your moods, and alert your doctor/psychiatrist etc to your family history.

Both my parents have always had depression, worse when I was growing up, and I have depression. But partly that's my childhood experiences, as well as learnt-in-my-family and genetic stuff.

You're not being stupid. It's good to be aware.

amyanubis · 06-05-2008, 12:05 PM

Hi there i have Bipolar disorder but we cannot trace anyone in the family with it appart from a lot of depression of schizophrenia.
If both parents are bipolar then you have 70% chance of developing it, if it is one parent then i think it is 15% to a 20% chance.
I wouldn't worry too much. Signs of the illness are apparent in teen years although first episodes occur in the early twenties although this is NOT the case for everyone.
Just watch out for racing thoughts,speech,euphoria, feeling high and low at once (mixed episode) etc

Athar · 06-05-2008, 07:28 PM

:) Thanks a lot, guys

Ami · 06-05-2008, 08:08 PM

Hey, you might have a higher chance of developing it. I got depressoin years before i got mania, so didnt even know i was bipolar. If you get diagnosed early (properly) it makes your life a lot easier cos they know how to treat it, like already said, watch out for the signs and see a dr xx