Comments on: Genetic Counseling for Bipolar Disorders

By: Sandra Kiume

Sandra Kiume — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 19:05:57 +0000

Hi Susan,

As a writer I’m not qualified to answer those questions, and it’s exactly the kind of thing to see a genetic counselor for. Here’s a link to find a counselor:

http://www.nsgc.org/FindaGC/tabid/64/Default.aspx

Good luck!

By: Susan

Susan — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 01:50:02 +0000

Hi,

Has there been any update to your 2007 answer of 15% risk for a child of a bipolar mother to be bipolar himself? Would you know the risk for a child with a bipolar grandmother and a 26 yr old mother who had a major depressive episode (unipolar) at 16?

Does this vary with the type of bipolar disorder experienced by the grandmother?

Are there any genetic screening tests the mother could undergo which could lower the odds?

Thank you!

By: Katherine

Katherine — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:41:15 +0000

Hi,
Reading your web site has brought tears of relief to my eyes. I am 41 years old and very scared about passing on bipolar gentically. My father had bipolar and committed suicide when I was 11. I have experienced depression and anorexia – probably mostly due to the trauma. The thought that the likelihood of passing this on is possibly less than 15% – I cannot tell you the relief. Thank you.

Kate

By: Friday Flashback for July 13, 2007 - World of Psychology

Friday Flashback for July 13, 2007 - World of Psychology — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:34:49 +0000

[...] Genetic Counseling for Bipolar Disorders The Foundation for Genetic Education and Counseling’s web site (and brochures on PDF) offers info on genetics and bipolar disorder. A year later, the website is gone and so, apparently, is the organization (we couldn’t find it). [...]

By: Sandra Kiume

Sandra Kiume — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 05:55:16 +0000

Correction: This means that while the risk of your child becoming bipolar is low, but if he does develop bipolar, it would be very likely due to genetics.

By: Sandra Kiume

Sandra Kiume — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 05:53:32 +0000

I wasn’t able to find that news report in English, but I did look up scientific research at PubMed to find out more.

Heritability and risk are two different things. The risk of inheriting bipolar from a parent is fairly low, with percentages ranging up to about 15%. Heritability percentages are quite high, around 80-93% as you read in the news, but heritability just means that when someone has bipolar it’s likely to be from genes.

This means that while the risk of your developing it is low, but if he does become bipolar, it’s very likely because of genetics.

Does that make sense? I hope that helps. You don’t have to worry so much now.

By: xj

xj — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:07:52 +0000

Thank you very much ,Sandra Kiume.

I see a news report on Chinese Sina Net.

http://news.sina.com.cn/w/2006-08-11/15599724981s.shtml

This news report says:Germany and the Canada scientific research personnel discover Bipolar Disorders inheritance probability betweenness 83% till 93%.

This news report lets me worry about very much.

Had you looked at such a news report?

By: Sandra Kiume

Sandra Kiume — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 00:40:22 +0000

I share your hope that your child avoids depression. It is 85% likely that your child will not inherit bipolar. But if she or he does, you can help with counselling, a healthy lifestyle, and possibly medication. Here is some mental health information in Chinese: click here and also here.

By: xj

xj — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:34:05 +0000

Inherit a gene deciding to get depression surely?

To the child, does mentality cultivate being able to avoid depression?

I do not hope that my child gets depression

Being answered by me and suggested that please.

Thank you!

By: xj

xj — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:18:45 +0000

I am Chinese , English are not good.

I have Bipolar Disorders Clan history.I have grave depression I am very pained.

Is my child able to be handed?

I love my child,I do not hope that in the hereafter the child is depressed.How I do ability be avoided by the child depressed?

Help me please,Thank you!