[caringmum]

All three of my teens have been diagnosed (by a psychiatrist) with bipolar disorder, two with bipolar I, and one NOS. I don't disagree with the diagnoses but I am confused as to why three out of three would have it if neither parent has been diagnosed. Does this mean one or both parents most probably have it? is it normal for all kids to have it if it runs in the family, or are we just unfortunate? And yes, I am exhausted!

Bipolar can skip generations. So even though all 3 of your children have bipolar, it does not imply that you and/or your husband have bipolar.

HOWEVER, it is technically possible that you and/or your husband have undiagnosed bipolar. I'm obviously not a dr, but if you are concerned, then definitely see a doctor!

Have you looked at your extended family to see if there are any kinds of mood disorders there?

As for it being "normal" for all kids in a family to have bipolar... Well, I cannot say. My sister does not have bipolar. The only disorders we have in common are anxiety stuff.

[CANDC]

Hi caringmum. Welcome to Psych Central. The causes of mental illness are complex and can include genetic and environmental influences. There are no clear guidelines that connects the dots easily.

One thing to consider is that people of previous generations were taught to "put your nose to the grindstone" and "tough it out" neither which I advocate. But many times people found ways to cope with mental illness because they had to. I have relatives and friends that will attest to this. Now early testing and treatment is available. Look at all the new diseases and treatments that are arriving on scene in the last few years.

Here is more detailed info
https://psychcentral.com/disorders/b...sorder-causes/

https://psychcentral.com/lib/living-...olar-disorder/

https://psychcentral.com/lib/bipolar...nes-uncovered/

Genetics are funny. My best friend has blue eyes and her husband brown. Her doctor told her their kids would have brown as they are dominant. They had 3 children, all with blue eyes. There are no constant rules with things like this. I'm sorry to hear about your kids and hope all works out for your family.

[Daonnachd]

Any earlier generations in your family have it, or exhibit possible symptoms?

Both my sister and I have it, but neither parent does. In my mom's generation it's my uncle who appears to have it, though he's never been diagnosed.

[mossanimal]

I'm the only one with an actual diagnosis.. but my sister had an attempted suicide attempt when she was a teenager and was sent to a special school for behavior problem (no Dx). She has stabilized since graduating high school but seems depressed now. My older sister has been dealing with depression for a long time. Another sister had to go to drug rehab. My dad has it and I'm just like him. So something is going on.

(my family sounds dysfunctional but they've all become successful somehow. I'm the only wild card)

[HALLIEBETH87]

Genetics can be odd. I'm the only person in my family with bipolar.

Originally Posted by ElsaMars

Genetics are funny. My best friend has blue eyes and her husband brown. Her doctor told her their kids would have brown as they are dominant. They had 3 children, all with blue eyes. There are no constant rules with things like this. I'm sorry to hear about your kids and hope all works out for your family.

That doctor is in serious need of a refreshment class in basic genetica.

Honestly, I don't know how most of the doctors I've met got a drivers license, let alone a medical degree.

[caringmum]

Thanks everyone for your responses. I think their father may have undiagnosed bp. I may or may not have some mild form. The kids are struggling with it though. It is very different in each one. One is taking latuda. My daughter is too young for latuda but I am too anxious to start her on anilify

[Victoria'smom]

My sister is dx'd, my other sister is not. My dad has insomnia and both parents had mood "issues". So I didn't know I was really different until living in the dorms and kept getting in trouble for "normal" things like rearranging the furniture, jumping on the bed, and sleeping around to much. I was almost kicked out twice in the same semester. Hell same week I think. I wasn't willing to get help until 22. Your kids are lucky it was caught early in life. I couldn't imagine raising kids like myself or my sisters. It was an emergency all the time. I OD 1x, was a regular cutter as a kid, partier but kept my self destructive tendencies to myself. My sisters had/have regular outbursts of violence.

I'm raising a kid with SN anyway I can help just ask. As for genetics it's a crab shoot really but I would investigate if anything may be wrong with either parent (any mood disorder) because what you think is normal may be off. I'd get an individual therapist for yourself because you need the extra support. You may want to get each of your kids a therapist if they don't have one because it's tough on them too.

[glowsinthedark]

Originally Posted by caringmum

All three of my teens have been diagnosed (by a psychiatrist) with bipolar disorder, two with bipolar I, and one NOS. I don't disagree with the diagnoses but I am confused as to why three out of three would have it if neither parent has been diagnosed. Does this mean one or both parents most probably have it? is it normal for all kids to have it if it runs in the family, or are we just unfortunate? And yes, I am exhausted!

That does seem rather shocking...Do you completely trust this doctor? Did the same doctor diagnose all three? Have you sought a 2nd opinion? Genetics can be surprising and unpredictable etc. etc., but the diagnosis of three *teenagers* would raise a red flag for me, or at least seem odd enough that I would seek another opinion before pumping them full of mind-altering drugs (not saying this is the route you are taking or plan to take, but it's the route most doctors push). In my own experience, diagnosing a teenager with anything is provisional, as their brains haven't fully developed yet.

[caringmum]

Well, the same doc but it has been a long journey. My eldest son was tipped off by his therapist last year. He is 19, and completely in agreement with the diagnosis from the psychiatrist, who diagnosed him on his 6th visit. He is trying without meds but not doing too well. The middle child has had his third bp diagnosis from a psychiatrist, he is taking latuda, he has tried for a year without stabilizers without much success. The third child has panic disorder, GAD, ADHD, depression, social anxiety, OCD. She has been struggling for three years. Three rounds of SSRIs left her with suicidal thoughts and increased irritability and panic. ADHD meds made her have more panic attacks. She will go for a second opinion about BP, but I know she has it. She is not on meds.

[caringmum]

Originally Posted by glowsinthedark

That does seem rather shocking...Do you completely trust this doctor? Did the same doctor diagnose all three? Have you sought a 2nd opinion? Genetics can be surprising and unpredictable etc. etc., but the diagnosis of three *teenagers* would raise a red flag for me, or at least seem odd enough that I would seek another opinion before pumping them full of mind-altering drugs (not saying this is the route you are taking or plan to take, but it's the route most doctors push). In my own experience, diagnosing a teenager with anything is provisional, as their brains haven't fully developed yet.

It was the same psychiatrist but it has been a long journey. My 19 year old has struggled for three years and is now thankful he has a diagnosis. He was originally tipped off by his therapist. He is not taking medication and is trying to manage with diet, sleep and exercise but he is struggling. My 17 year old has been diagnosed by three psychiatrists. He is finally taking Latuda, having waited a year from the original diagnosis. My 15 year old has panic disorder, GAD, ADHD, OCD, Depression. She has been struggling for three years. She has not accepted the BP diagnosis but I know she has it. SSRIs made it worse, as did adhd meds. I will take her for a second opinion so she is more at ease with the BP diagnosis. She is not on medication.