Posted by banga on January 3, 2005, at 21:57:47
In reply to Re: Dysthymia versus Bipolar type 2, posted by barbaracat on January 3, 2005, at 20:57:18
I did not have an abusive household, but I did have a mother with major depression and my father left home when I was six. I grew up with a rather unpredictable mom, some mild neglect, and always having a feeling she might just disappear on me--fade away. I did of course later learn that she had tried to commit suicide at some point.
Twins studies suggest that about 50% or so of depresion as well as bipolar is inherited--written in your genes. That means that 50% contribution comes fom the environment. I definitely have both elements in my background-a family tree full of mood disorders (an addiction and ADHD) and not so stable household. And I still feel guilty, that I **should** have been able to overcome and cope with all of this baggage.
poster:banga
thread:435630
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050103/msgs/437432.html