to all the Mamas and Papas

[icedteapriestess]

Do you ever worry about passing on your mental issues to your kids? Some disorders are genetic, some family have a stong history of mental problems. Like, on my dad's side I have a Bi-polar Aunt, and a OCD/Bi-polar plus other undiagnosed things Cousin.. plus me... so there is a family history.

I am just having a day where I am worried that I will pass on all my mental spiders to my child....

[spooner]

For most diseases, the risk is higher, but how significantly varies.

I wouldn't stress about it though, just don't procreate with somebody who shares the same illnesses.

[icedteapriestess]

thanks for the input, but I wasn't really asking for probability. I was more asking other parents if they ever had days where they worried about it too. More of a mental thing than a medical thing.

[sandpedlar]

Sure, I think we all have.
My spouse and I both have issues-one has a psychotic disorder with panic attacks to the point of being on ss disability, and the other, severe depression requiring meds.
It means that you'll a)have more work ahead of you than some other parents might otherwise and b)know what to look for if and when there IS a problem and c)be more understanding and hopefully a better rolemodel if things do go downhill..
I also think that the genetic factor is almost equalled by a parent *projecting* a symptom onto a child every time he/she has a small freak out, or acts like a "child".