Perhaps you have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and you're wondering if your children will also have it.
Maybe your parents or siblings have been diagnosed as Bipolar, and you're concerned that your mood swings may not just be from stress, but may actually be symptoms of this mental illness.
So, is Bipolar Disorder genetic? The simple answer is: yes.
Studies have shown that, if one identical twin has Bipolar Disorder, the other partnering twin has up to an 85% likelihood of also having the illness.
The probability is much less for fraternal twins.
This indicates a strong genetic link.
The likelihood of having Bipolar is also higher for first degree relatives, such as parent/child or brother/sister relationships, than it is for extended family, such as aunts, uncles, or cousins.
Having relatives who are diagnosed as Bipolar also puts an individual at a higher risk for Major Depressive Disorder, up to 25%.
It is unclear why the genetic link is passed this way, but it can be very valuable information for individuals who are feeling sad all the time.
There is no way to know which family members will inherit the genetic link for Bipolar Disorder, and there is no way to prevent it.
Likewise, it is possible to develop the illness even without any family history of the mental illness.
So are your ups and downs a normal part of life, or are experiencing something more serious? Consider having a psychiatric evaluation to rule out Bipolar Disorder.
If you are diagnosed with the illness, medications may be helpful in stabilizing your moods.
In addition, talk therapy with a counselor can be helpful to help you learn how to cope with your emotions.