[Viuam]

Hi. I was wondering if any of you have a history of mental disease in your family. My uncle was a hermit for most of his adult life and commited suicide a few years ago. He was never diagnosed. My mother suspects that my paternal grandmother also commited suicide. My parents were living in the US at the time (that happened about 30 years ago, so at the time I wasn't even in the works) and my father is very secretive about his side of the family, so we are not sure about what happened there.

Now, as I sit in my hospital bed, I wish I had some real medical history to look back on. My father refuses to believe that I have a genetic predisposition for mental illness, and I feel bad for him because I don't wan't him to blame himself. He had a difficult upbringing and came through it with flying colors, and he believes that I have to get "strong" and develop a "driving force". But for me it's very hard to ignore that two immediate members of my family were mentally ill. I know that there is the whole matter of nature vs nuture to take into consideration, and I can't immediately blame everything on genetics. If I do than I might as well throw in the towel (again). That would also negate the thousands who do have a family history of depression and are fine or have gotten through it. My brothers are perfectly functional people who have never had this problem, and they have the same genes as I do.

[Maskon]

My brother suffers from anxiety, gets panic attacks but doesn't seek treatment. My dad seems anxious and dysthymic but minimizes it and compares himself to those who are worse off. I had a cousin on my dad's side who committed suicide but no one talks about it (this happened like 20 yrs ago)..,. So genetics are a factor as well as environment, trauma and temperament. 1 in 5 will experience mental illness in their lifetime. So u never can predict who will for sure be afflicted. Your bros r ok for now, but who knows.

I'm sorry your not getting what u r asking from your family. Part of it is generational I think. My dad used to be very similar to yours, but now he is more supportive to me ( but still he doesn't acknowledge his own issues... Or ok, so once did he sort of mention his "nervousness"), but I've been more open with my parents via email and sending them info about depression and anxiety and it has been helpful. Initially my mom personalized what I would express and would blame herself. Partially my parents have admitted they overlooked me as a kid when I was getting severely bullied by a toxic friend, as they were preoccupied with my bro who was getting into trouble with the law.. I never saw it like that till they have expressed it, and they only opened up more when I did.

If u r currently in the hospital will they have a family meeting? Have u spoken about this to your doc or nurse as they could help provide education to your dad about depression/ what is unhelpful to say yo some one with this illness as clearly he doesn't understand it.

They don't have the exact same genes you get you genes from all parts of different ancestors. That's why children don't necessarily have the same hair color as their parents.

My aunt has been mentally ill for at least my cousin's entire life. My mother seems to have been low grade depressed most of my life. My father has got to have some sort of mental defect. Like you nobody talks much about family history. Even stupid stuff... My fathers father was a photographer and I am a photographer. You'd think that would be of interest. My cousin heard this and I confirmed it through old newspaper articles via ancestry.

Which leads me to that very suggestion. You may be able to get surprising amount of information by going on ancestry since your father is so secretive. I even contacted a distant relative also on ancestry. You never know!

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I have no idea. I am from a family that would severely criticize anyone who had such issues. So - I do not know the history - nor do I share my issues.

[Curupira]

My father is undiagnosed but exhibits certain indicators of mental illness. Extreme mood swings and agitation and an inability to see the owrld beyond himself. My sister is diagnosed bipolar triggered by a gluten intolerance. I have a cousin with clinical depression and an uncle with alcoholism. So I think I'm genetically screwed.

My paternal grandmother had bipolar disorder, and her mother committed suicide. I think that tells me I come by my bipolar disorder (and current fairly severe depression) honestly. Not that it makes it any easier, but it does offer an explanation for cause. No one else in my extended family of my parents' generation or mine has mental illness. So basically I'm the black sheep. I also have a history of alcoholism/drug abuse, and my dad and his dad both had drinking issues, so I'm not the black sheep with respect to that.

I just want to come and give you an understanding hug....and maybe watch a movie with you....I'll bring cheezy fries...

In my family, like Useless Me's, the attitude was "well just cheer up".....Nothing was diagnosed.
However, my mom and dad are both slightly batty, so...

[Altered Moment]

Both sides of my family but very vague as no one talked about it then. Great aunt bipolar for sure. Great grand father definitely major depressive. My mom has told me what she knows. Siblings don't matter all my siblings are normal and highly successful. I got the lucky set of genes.

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[Viuam]

Thanks sophiesmom! Cheesy fries sound amazing right now actually. I just got home from the hospital. I have noticed from what most of you have said that many older generations are very hush hush on the subject. My family at least has been very tense these past few days and think that what I have isn't actually a disease. For chrissake, I'm going to have do deal with it for the rest of my life, at least recognize it and try to be a bit sensitive...

I am ok physically, didn't do any damage to my brain or anything permanent to major organs, so that's a plus. I'm still not hungry (apart from the awesome suggestion of cheesy fries) but I have been forced to eat and my weight has not continued to drop. I just wish that I had the opportunity to talk to my uncle or grandmother from where I am now, maybe get some insight. Sometimes I wish that someone would have helped them too. I guess I just wish I had someone in my family to talk to who has lived through it and survived.

I refuse to believe that feeling this way is something you can criticize or brush under the rug. When you have a knee injury, you go to the doctor and figure it out. That's it, no stigma or blaming involved. Why can't it be the same for me? Why can't I just go to the doctor and get the support I need from people? It's way more dangerous to ignore it anyway, that's when people spiral and do stupid things (ahem, that one was for me).

[yellowfrog268]

There is a family history of different mental illnesses in my family going back to parents and grandparents.
There plenty of studies that have been done on the likelyhood of a person's genetic history influencing whether or not they become ill including studies done on siblings.

If you do in fact have a diagnosable illness, take care of yourself first. Your family could come around and take a more loving and supportive approach but make yourself the first priority here.

[Altered Moment]

If your family doesn't understand I think you need to find a support network who does understand. These forums are one place. Psychiatrist and therapist is another. Support groups in your town maybe. I truly believe in my case it's genetic and biological. It is hard to believe there is still such a stigma but there is.

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[mulan]

Depression is a mix of lots of factors. Genetics do have a big role, but not everyone who have genetic predesposition get depressed.
My both parents had depression, my sister and my father's sister had it too. And my all family is very anxious. But genetic, of course doesn't explain it all.

[too SHy]

I can't believe folks don't realize these things can be genetic like diabetes, etc., my mother was quite ill, and dad comitt ed suicide. Thank fully doctors are beginning to understand some of these dreadful disorders

Originally Posted by too SHy

I can't believe folks don't realize these things can be genetic like diabetes, etc., my mother was quite ill, and dad comitt ed suicide. Thank fully doctors are beginning to understand some of these dreadful disorders

There is a genetic component. There are examples of separated twins who develop depression. There are also examples where only one does.. There is also an environmental component. The experiences you have had. People get depressed with no traceable history of depression. There is also an inherited factor. What I mean by that is how generations are raised is passed down. We learn how to raise our kids and they learn from us. A huge percent of depressed people have experienced some sort of trauma which may trigger MDD. So children in a cycle of generational abuse may turn their anger inward into depression.

Usually there is a bit of everything but not always. I isn't always due to genetics. It isn't always able to be solved on that presumption either. I don't think scientists are anywhere near understanding these disorders fully.

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