[mandy_w]

I have bipolar disorder, but my parents have never been diagnosed and don't seem to have any symptoms at all. My father USED to abuse alcohol and my mom has some anxiety every now and then. Could their problems have triggered bipolar disorder in me? Or does it always have to be genetic? Because I've been diagnosed by multiple doctors.

[Ruftin]

(((mandy_w))) Here's a link you may want to check out: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...6bO3E3fw9tBRhQ This may help answer some of your questions. I'm bipolar but no one in my family tree is. My mom is schizophrenic and I tend to think her mental illness in some way genetically contributed to mine. I don't think the cause of bipolar disorder is entirely known. Sorry I'm not much help here. It is quite a mystery.

[Crazy Hitch]

Oh I don't really know how medical professionals would respond.

I've always believed the environment can be a factor.

That is what I believe, personally.

So are genetics always involved? I don't believe so.

I think when the term "genetic" is used about an illness, that includes genetic mutations that happen in a person for unknown reasons, in addition to what's inherited.

I have a couple of autoimmune disorders that no one on either side of my family has, so I've wondered about this, too.

[BipolaRNurse]

I'm the only diagnosed bipolar in the family. However, my mother probably had it, and several relatives had depression and anxiety so there is definitely a lot of mental illness in my family of origin. But no, I can't say with any certainty that my BP is genetic.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Aside from anxious people...I have no known family hx of bipolar.

Maybe I'm the trend starter?