[AnxietyMaster]

If you don't mind, I am gathering evidence to support/disprove the thought that mental illness comes from children being exposed to a virus/bacterium while in the womb. If you don't mind taking a second, and answering this poll for me, it would be a great help!

Thanks!
Anxiety Master

PS: Sorry Moderators/Admins I was not sure where this was to be placed

I could (she was) but I'm not dx with mental illness, I have some anxiety issues but maybe not right for your criteria?

[AnxietyMaster]

Originally Posted by prefabsprout

I could (she was) but I'm not dx with mental illness, I have some anxiety issues but maybe not right for your criteria?

I think that it would be fine if you voted.

[*Laurie*]

I was born in 1962 and my mom has been dead for ten years. I have never heard anything about my mom being ill with a virus while she was pg with me, but she did have cardiac issues due to having had rheumatic fever when she was a child.

I have heard stories form my sisters that my mother was mentally unstable during her pg with me, and I don't doubt that a bit.

Also, I'm sure my mom drank caffeine (quite a bit) back then. Coffee, Coke.

[-jimi-]

I doubt my mom would remember. But these days people are generally healthier. People had a lot of infections in the past and almost all pregnant moms had one. But I don't think their kids were more mentally ill than these days.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by -jimi-

I doubt my mom would remember. But these days people are generally healthier. People had a lot of infections in the past and almost all pregnant moms had one. But I don't think their kids were more mentally ill than these days.

Yeah, I tend to agree. Although, way back in the day viruses were more dangerous than most are now. I'm thinking of the days before such illness as Rubella (especially dangerous to a developing fetus) were not uncommon - before there were vaccinations. My sisters, who are many years older than I am, had a friend who was born deaf because her mom had had Rubella during the pregnancy. That was in the mid-'40's.

[Georgia Bridge]

Picture a mother in 1965 in the U.S.A. at the age of 21. I' m sure there must have been at least 1 viral or bacterial illness due to a very compromised immune system.
All 4 of her children are quite mentally ill. I know of no other severe mental illnesses in the extended family. She herself does not have a severe mental illness, neither does our biological father.
All 4 of us were very abused as well, however.
I think I put this in the wrong forum.
My apologies, AnxietyMaster.
I felt compelled... ..

[AnxietyMaster]

Thank you everyone for your responses! I read a study about this, and thought "No way!". The theory is that the virus/bacterium itself does not damage the developing fetus, but instead the mothers immune system does.

I will keep you all updated as more research surfaces!

[BlueEyedMama]

My mother has SLE and had it while pregnant with me. I also have it btw. I'm not sure I really qualify since I have PTSD and PANIC disorder both brought on from childhood abuse by an uncle. Two of my step children are very mentally ill but there late mother was as well and all five of her children have severe mental illness.