[bluemountains]

My son recently started with a new pdoc because our new insurance wasn't covered with the last one. The new one did an evaluation and I was just reading over his report.

Here is a paragraph from the report:
"His psychiatric family history is remarkable for depression, BPAD, anxiety, ADD, LD, PTSD, Alcohol Abuse, schizophrenia, and psychiatric hospitalization"

Guess which side of the family all of this came from...what a slap in the face!

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[NWgirl2013]

I hear ya! Mine actually bragged that his gene pool was superior! Uh huh, as we deal with ADD, OCD,depression.
Thanks for that, honey!

[kaliope]

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don't feel bad....ive got more letters behind my name from psychiatric diagnoses than I do from educational degrees....I only advertise the second ones...hehe

[Victoria'smom]

I comes from OCD, bipolar, schizophrenia, sad, depression, eating disorders, PTSD,drug and alcohol abuse,hospitalization, and prison. My husband's side added OCD, bipolar, depression, PTSD,ADHD, and alcohol abuse.so my son had slim chances.

[Sometimes psychotic]

At least you know and are honest about it. I had no idea I had a psych history until I ended up in the psych ward then my pdoc who I had met like twice proceeded to inform me that my grandma had schizophrenia. Not the best way to find out.

[notALICE]

I hope my kids gene pool doesn't drown them. Stacked against tough odds. I've heard it can be as low as 20% passing it on, but it seems much higher is my fam.

[bluemountains]

Originally Posted by notALICE

I hope my kids gene pool doesn't drown them. Stacked against tough odds. I've heard it can be as low as 20% passing it on, but it seems much higher is my fam.

Twenty percent??? 3 out of 4 of my children have some type of dx-all different. I guess I can look at that as 25% per MI, or 75% of strong genes!

[Confusedinomicon]

Its a good opportunity to show your children success despite mental illness. You have had 4 children and work as a teacher. Teaching is very stressful but you have a passion for it. Giving birth 4 times is a lot of stress, too. (And a great gift!)

Let them understand your diligence and keep an open ear. Everyone will experience adversities in life...if it wasn't MI it would have been something else. Being open and receptive to your children is a greater gift then any material thing. They might not see that now, but hopefully they will as they age.

I wouldn't be where I am today without the love and care from my parents. They never devalued my problems and were quick to get me help. They may not have understood everything but I valued their willingness to listen.

[bluemountains]

Originally Posted by Confusedinomicon

Its a good opportunity to show your children success despite mental illness. You have had 4 children and work as a teacher. Teaching is very stressful but you have a passion for it. Giving birth 4 times is a lot of stress, too. (And a great gift!)

Let them understand your diligence and keep an open ear. Everyone will experience adversities in life...if it wasn't MI it would have been something else. Being open and receptive to your children is a greater gift then any material thing. They might not see that now, but hopefully they will as they age.

I wouldn't be where I am today without the love and care from my parents. They never devalued my problems and were quick to get me help. They may not have understood everything but I valued their willingness to listen.

Thanks for the boost, CI! All but one of my children are very open in sharing their thoughts, frustrations, etc. with me. I have one who is a loner and doesn't share at all with me or his dad. This is the one that I worry about the most, because even though he is full of jokes, he never lets on about how he feels.
I am so glad that you were able to grow up in a loving, nurturing family. Unfortunately, this wasn't my experience, and I think this drives me to feel guilty most anything I can blame myself for.
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[Kristiemarie]

I am terrified that one or both my girls will be bipolar. The only hope is that I will be better equipped to see symptoms than my parents were.

[bluemountains]

Originally Posted by Kristiemarie

I am terrified that one or both my girls will be bipolar. The only hope is that I will be better equipped to see symptoms than my parents were.

Don't worry over this, Kristiemarie. I was actually the opposite in that I didn't suspect that my children would have any problems. There are some positives. My children are excellent musicians. Sometime soon, I will post a video link that shows the four performing together. I am just trying to figure out how to make sure I am not sharing too much on the internet. Also, my children have other artistic abilities that amaze me. Your children will do the same, they will amaze you in ways that you can never imagine!

[Confusedinomicon]

Being an available parent makes you an awesome one. You aren't your parents either.

Happy almost mothers day!