I was very "lucky" and got it from my mother, and grew up with my sister also having BP.

I recently had a discussion with my old Pdoc about the whole "passing it on" thing, and he made a good point...if it happens it isn't the end of the world. If anything, they have a chance of managing it better from the beginning because you can guide them and help them help themselves (depending on when it starts showing).

My sister was constantly in and out of the hospital because of and my mother experienced psychosis and had to be admitted as well every few months, and she got to the point of being aggressive towards family and threatening people because of what she heard or saw.

Growing up as one of the "passed on" kids, when it manifested I was first scared that I would go through what my sister and mother do, but instead I got help and have no interest in stopping treatment because I have seen it go wrong. Okay, the treatment isn't perfect, but I have a support system now and am working on things.

In a way, those experiences helped me better understand what my future could look like and to notice the signs, and to embrace treatment. Yes, because of my experience I also had a very rough childhood that keeps coming back, but my case doesn't happen to everyone.

I can understand why one would be afraid of passing it on, but if it happens it can be helped. If you want kids and you have the means to support them, I personally think that you should have them. If they end up with BP, so be it, they won't be going at it alone and it can be seen (mentioned above) a means to learn and grow together.

I am happy with just having a furbaby though.