[worriedsister2]

Hello,

My sister was recently diagnosed with Bipolar, at the age of 19. I'm 21 and have a slight history of anxiety (nothing to merit medication but still a little problematic). Neither of our parents have bipolar, but there is a history of depression in my family - notably, a lot of my relatives that are alive now have depression or another mental illness.

I am just wondering if anyone knows what the chances of me becoming bipolar are?

I did some research and found that siblings of bipolar people are 8 times more likely to get bipolar. A lot of the information on the genetics of bipolar said that it runs from parents to children.

But if my parents have no mental illnesses, then do I have a normal chance of getting bipolar? Or is it increased because of my sister?

Thanks

It is increased because of your sister's diagnosis. You share 50% of your DNA with your sister, which is as much as you share with each of your parents. I'm not sure what your chances of getting bipolar are, but they're probably not less because it's your sister and not one of your parents (should be about the same). There is also a correlation between family history of unipolar depression (and, less so, MI in general) and bipolar, so the family history of depression would increase the statistical chance even more. I doubt you will find much good information beyond the statistical chance of getting bipolar when one of your siblings has bipolar though. Your chances would be higher than that, assuming only family history is considered. You shouldn't worry too much about this though. It probably won't happen.

Here's one relevant article:
Family History Best Indicator That It’s Bipolar Disorder, Not Depression | Psych Central News

[Darth Bane]

Hi i am diagnosed with bipolar. my family has history of mental illness too. but for you having it,it is just possibility, chance, percentage... my little sister is fine, she doesn't have any mental illness. and bipolar presents itself early around 16. since you never had manic/depressive episode till now there is very less chance of you having it now...

Originally Posted by Darth Bane

and bipolar presents itself early around 16. since you never had manic/depressive episode till now there is very less chance of you having it now...

That's not really true, I think. I've read many times that the mean age of first manic episode is in the early 20's. I know it can start earlier though. Does the depression usually come first?

[A Red Panda]

I've read quite a lot that with bipolar you're more likely to have depression set in earlier on in life than people with uni-polar depression.

Mania/hypomania doesn't usually set in until later though.

OP: I'd try not to worry about it too much. You'll almost certainly noticed (at least in hindsight!) if you've began experiencing depression and/or (hypo)mania. If you have some close relationships those people will likely notice and point things out too.

Bipolar illness can be inherited; it can also be triggered by traumatic events. The
chances of developing bipolar are much greater in identical twins than they are in a
sibling.

I wouldn't worry about it, frankly. You will know if you develop depression that you
need to see a specialist for help. Only a psychiatrist can diagnose bipolar illness for
you correctly (in most cases), and there's plenty of help if you do develop a depression.

It seems to me that your greatest worry is the anxiety you have about inheritance;
don't let it cause you anxiety, please. Bipolar illness is a dynamic one, not a static
one, and it may change over time; with treatment, it is eased a good bit.

Enjoy your life.

[Victoria'smom]

Quite honestly if you have anxiety, even though you don't need medication, you may want to try therapy. You can space it out to every 2-3 weeks but you'll have a mental health professional helping you w. Your anxiety. They can watch out for bipolar symptoms so that it'll be caught early which lessens the severity.

As for running in families, 2 out of 3 of my siblings are dx with bipolar or scizoaffective bipolar type. My younger sibling suffers from mood swings and psychosis but refuses to get diagnosed because "they'll never let me out if they know what goes on in my head ". My extended family is plaged by addiction or untreated but dx'd mental illness, this includes my parents. So the chances of myself or my son escaping mental illness were slim. However it seems like only your sister has bipolar but you have anxiety. So as long as you're in treatment for your anxiety I would not add this to your concerns.

[Trippin2.0]

I'm the only BP'er in the family, 2 healthy parents and 5 "normal" siblings who've experienced nothing other than situational depression...

I don't think any of them worry about getting it though, I've been presenting clear symptoms since age 14, so that's 14 yrs now and no sign of anyone else following my footsteps.

Hopefully my daughter will be spared too.

Don't worry about it oh and a warm to PC

Originally Posted by Mandrec

That's not really true, I think. I've read many times that the mean age of first manic episode is in the early 20's. I know it can start earlier though. Does the depression usually come first?

Mandrec, I was diagnosed at age 23 and it started out with depression. I dont know if that is how it starts out usually.

[LadyShadow]

I have always had symptoms even as a child, but I didn't know what it was. My little sister is fine though, she has some OCD I noticed, but she is alright for the most part. I'm the messed up one

I think my mom and my grandma had bipolar. but they were never diagnosed.

[faerie_moon_x]

Hi!

I fully believe that there are genetic components and that within the next 20 years what we know aboult bipolar and a lot of other mental illnesses will be much better understood as a biological thing rather than "it's just in your head" thing. I think there are some great research things going on right now leading us in that direciton.

I also believe there are environmental factors. So, even in families not everyone will have bipolar. But, I believe there is a connection to other illnesses and it's really more of a spectrum than isolated islands. So, you could see a wide variety of different things within a family.

[bunnifoo]

Neither of my parents have bipolar disorder, but my dad has depression and Mom gets into situational depression where she needs medication.

However, there are various mood and personality disorders in my extended family and probably going back a couple of generations.

[Dylanzmama]

[QUOTE=Mandrec;. Does the depression usually come first?[/QUOTE]
I've read that it's more common for women to experience depression first.my husband's bipolar too and his first manic episode was at 17. I've had depression forever but no mania until 36.

[pink&grey]

If you've never been depressed, I wouldn't waist a second on worry about this. By 21 most BP diagnoses have at least been severely depressed. It' s possible, yes, but not the most likely. I have 4 siblings and only one of them is diagnosed. He is a twin and his twin is the healthiest of us all. Maternally there is a very long history of severe depression and paternally we have 2 uncles who were/are bipolar (they are 2 of 5).