Question Title: Bipolar Disorder and heredity

Donna,

Research, specifically family studies, have repeatedly shown that first degree relatives (IE: parents and siblings) with bipolar disorder are eight or to eighteen times more likely to have the disorder when compared to those without a family history. It also has been shown that first degree relatives with bipolar disorder are more likely to have other mood disorders such as major depression. About 50% of all bipolar patients have one parent with a mood problem. If one parent has bipolar disorder, there is a 25% chance that a child will have a mood problem. If both parents have bipolar disorder then there is a 50-75% chance that a child will have a mood problem (disorder).

This shows that there is a strong genetic component to bipolar disorder but other unidentified factors are also contributory. At this point in time, there is no specific test to detect this disorder and family history is perhaps the most helpful factor in determining risk.

Sincerely,

HFHS MD-JM

Keywords: bipolar disorder and heredity