Posted by Noa on January 14, 2003, at 19:30:08
In reply to Why have kids and pass on a genetic prob? « McPac, posted by Dr. Bob on January 12, 2003, at 20:40:06
This is something I think about too.
I recently read last year's Newsweek or Time article about bipolar kids. There was something interesting about a theory that in some forms of bipolar disorder, the genetic factor intensifies in subsequent generations. It is a theory apparently borrowed from another disease (sorry I wish I could remember the specifics).
But it is just research in its infancy (no pun intended) and if it is borne out(again, no pun intended), I imagine it is possible that this can apply to certain types of heritable bipolar and not others.
I think it is also important to factor in that if parents know of the possibility of their kids having a mental health problem, then they can monitor that and intervene early if signs show up. A co-worker was telling me that this is the case for her child, since there is a strong bipolar family link, herself included. She has her child observed from time to time by a professional just to keep an eye on things.
To use my case as an example--I am sure I have an inherited predisposition to depression. There is depression and/or obsessive/compulsive disorder on both sides of my family. But what made the course of my illness much worse, I am sure, is that no one ever picked up on my depression in childhood, and although they may have sensed it in my adolescence, nothing was done to help me. In fact, some attempts to help me were very unhelpful, because what they thought was helpful was basically adding to the stress and desire to withdraw. They say that there is a "kindling" effect-that untreated depression breeds more and worsening depression. How serious would my depressive disorder have become if I had gotten good mental health care (any mental health care) when I was very young, or if my parents had gotten guidance about helping me appropriately? Of course, it is impossible to say, but I like to believe that early intervention can help change the course of the illness.
Maybe someone here knows the article I mentioned, btw. I'll also try to find the reference info.
poster:Noa
thread:35147
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030111/msgs/35234.html