Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Bipolar disorder and heredity
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., May 22, 2007 12:00AM
, May 22, 2007 12:00AM
The chances are very small, and probably no greater than random, especially since the diagnosis of bipolar has many levels, and often many errors.
Member Comments (2)
by jaybee12, May 22, 2007 12:00AM
To: Dr Gould
It seems like the sister's diagnosis is pretty convincing (I am not a psychiatrist, but I am a physician and I have spoken with her psychiatrist, and personally observed her in a manic state with psychotic features, alternating with nearly catatonic depression). Does this increase the odds, or would you say they are still low and close to random? Thanks.
