[Olichick]

If I have a mental illness , does that mean I inherited it from one of my parents?

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Olichick

If I have a mental illness , does that mean I inherited it from one of my parents?

Generally, mental illness is genetic. Oftentimes some kind of traumatic experience triggers the mental illness.

I see you're in Fresno? I live in Woodland, not far from Sacramento.

[MickeyCheeky]

i am absolutely NOT an expert, however i Believe it can be a mix of genetic traits And Life Experience. Some People may be more predisposed to it Than Others but that doesn't necessarely mean they'll have to deal with it. i'd definitely suggest contacting a doctor or therapist for more accurate information. SEnding many Safe, Warm Hugs to BOTH You, @Olichick, Your Family, Your FriEnds And ALL of Your Loved Ones! Keep fighting And keep rocking NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, OK?!

[Thunder Bow]

Mental Illness can often be Adaptive Behavior left over from childhood, that has gotten out of control. Depression is sometimes involved.

[blueparakeet78]

Depending what the mental illness is, sometimes it can be caused by pathogens and is not necessarily genetic in origin. Take for example toxoplasmosis - T. gondii infection in humans is associated with psychiatric problems such as schizophrenia. Another example is Lyme disease - Borellia and Bartonella have been shown to cause psychiatric symptoms in humans.

[pachyderm]

I think "mental illness" is an adaptation to unhealthy experiences mostly in childhood. Childhood because our coping skills have not developed then. Coping skills differ partly due to different inherited qualities, and to different stresses experienced as children. And differences in how we were raised to cope with life difficulties, by our parents -- or not.

What I think...

[WanderingCat]

I agree with the answers above: a mix of genetic and of the experiences of the individual. It also depends on the illness.

[mountainstream]

I agree with others.