Posted by SLS on August 18, 2006, at 8:40:22
In reply to Re: Please help... Bi-Polar Son... » SLS, posted by Phillipa on August 17, 2006, at 23:02:12
> If a first generation parent is bipolar what are the odds of their children being bipolar
I really don't know the statistics, but I'm sure they exist. Elliot S. Gershon, MD has done a lot of work in this area. I recall seeing one estimate of about 15% of children with one bipolar parent developing the disorder. I think it is probably higher than that. The rate of bipolar disorder in the general population is approximately 1.5%. (Some believe it to be as high as 5%).
> as my ex was told he was bipolar. He was also an alcholic. Went to AA and stopped drinking.
Thats a pretty typical MICA scenario. Fortunately, it had a positive outcome with his attaining sobriety.
> The whole family are alcholics. Could that be a cover for bipolar.
Alcoholism is more complicated than just being a symptom of bipolar disorder. There are often familial patterns of behavior that are learned or that result from repeated generational dysfunctional family dynamics such as co-dependency.
> I was married to my ex when a doc precribed lithium for him and he was a different man.
It just goes to show you that there is such a thing as a magic pill.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:677083
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060818/msgs/677695.html