[evildouble102]

I was wondering if anyone could answer this for me: I have borderline personality disorder, features of Obssessive compulsive disorder, chronic trauma syndrome, schizoaffective disorder: bipolar type, and Panic

What are the chances if I were to have kids of them inheriting these illnesses?

[Christina86]

Statistically, I don't really have statistics (and I hate them because they're always changing anyways)...

With any illness, (psychiatric, physical or otherwise) there is always a chance of a genetic component. It's also the whole debate about nature vs nurture...

Chances are that there MAY be a higher risk of inheriting what you have... but at the same time, there is always the chance of being diagnosed with something completely different.

Genetics and biology aren't exact - that's all I'm trying to say.

Oh, and I am in no way whatsoever any type of medical professional. I'd say if you were really concerned that you go speak to an actual professional.

[evildouble102]

Thanks, Canders My boyfriend has been talking about us having kids; I think he's a little too eager but he's also 10 years older so I understand. He asked me what the chances were our kids would have these mental illnesses/disorders and I couldn't answer him. But I kinda expected the biological/environmental thing.

[pachyderm]

evildouble102:

> What are the chances if I were to have kids of them inheriting these illnesses?

Inheriting them genetically? Some of them might inherit personality traits that might predispose them to difficulties of that sort. Like all people, they might inherit personality traits of all kinds. That doesn't mean they are fated to develop exaggerated borderline characteristics. All of us have to work with whatever genetics we inherit.

As for "inheriting" problems due to how their parents treat them, that could be true too. I think the more you understand the "disease" the less chance you have of passing it on. What are diagnosed as "borderline" characteristics are just exaggerations of qualities possessed by "regular" people.

My thoughts.

[Perna]

I would say bipolar and schizo-affective have "gene" chances, maybe the OCD too, but the others are probably more your life experiences.

[LizardL8y]

OCD is an anxiety disorder. Anxiety can be inherited, though many people now believe that the form your anxiety takes is not genetic. My mother's family has a long line of anxiety disorders. Some of us have OCD, others have generalized anxiety... it depends on the person, but it runs so deeply in the family that that cannot be overlooked. With that said, not everyone will inherit those disorders and there will be some people who get them without there being a strong family history. I'd say your chances of having children with psychological disorders is higher than someone who doesn't suffer from them, but it is not an absolute. If it doesn't run in his family it is very possible they will follow him.