Does anyone think about the possibility of their genetic mental illness being passed to future children?

Question

I have Bipolar 2, and I could possibly pass it onto future children. Some days I think I could never risk that, but most days I really do want to be a mom someday! Thoughts or similar situations?

Answer

I used to think that way. But then I acknowledged that my child could have bipolar disorder anyway. And either way, if it happens to be the case, then who is there that'd be better to care for him? I would understand his difficulties and would no doubt help him to grow to be an amazing, stable, happy and functioning adult. My mum didn't have a clue, so I struggled a lot more with my mental health than I should have.

Answer

Knowing I could pass on some pretty horrible mental illnesses, was actually a deciding factor of not having kids. Why would I put someone else through the same suffering I went through, or worse than I went through.
Just like Jade stated, I am also at risk for severe PPD and at even higher risk for postpartum psychosis, and let's not put myself or my loved ones through that.

Answer

Mental illness runs rampant through my family. I could never have a child knowing what I’ve gone through and to put an innocent person through what I went through in my preteen and teen years. I tried to kill myself more times than I can count because of my depression and my anxiety. I couldn’t have a child and make them endure the same shit that I did, it’s inhumane and just pure selfish me. I also can’t have biological children because I’m a high risk for ppd and honestly a fourth mental illness would be what kills me. But that’s just me personally

Answer

Yes I worry about my kids getting my mental issues but I also think about how I've dealt with them and I know it's possible to have a good life even with multiple mental health issues.  Doesn't stop me from wanting kids in the future.

Answer

Everyone has a chance to develop a mental illness regardless of your family medical history. Not saying it doesn't play a factor in it just saying it can he triggered. A lot of people in my family have schizophrenia but for them something happened to trigger it. They were normal one day and the next they no longer can tell the difference between reality and imagination.

Answer

I have anxiety and so does my mom. Whether or not it’s genetic, I can’t say. What I can say is that navigating anxiety with the help of someone’s whose done it too, it’s priceless. I wouldn’t wish that on my kids, but if it does happen, I’ll be able to guide them and empathize with them because I know exactly how they feel.

Answer

A lot of mental disorders can be tied to genetic mutations that hinder proper methylation. I have several mutations that I did not know about and many reduce neurotransmitter production. My son has a lot of mental health issues but we are working with him to improve his diet and life style to try to improve some of his symptoms. I never considered not having kids. My sister, on the other hand, found out she had a extremely rare muscle disorder when she was 15. One of her first questions after being diagnosed was whether or not the disorder could be passed to her children. She had already made up her mind that if it were genetic at all, she would never reproduce and put her own child through the hell she had been living. Luckily for her it isn’t genetic and I have a beautiful nephew that I am very close with.

Answer

I have BPD and I just don't think I could be a decent mother because of it. I lost my child in a divorce just by becoming a shut in, all the drama and evilness was getting all over my kid, I was going to commit suicide but instead I just stepped away like everyone wanted me to. Bio Dad had all the support and when we split up I was homeless. It's been years since then... A lot of people think I lost some big custody battle because of drugs but it's all so much worse because I didn't lose any battles or really do anything. I was a miserable failure of a mother and if I mothered again I don't think I could do much better, I'm still really suicidal, pretty much garunteeing I pass on my disorder both genetically and situationally.

Answer

I hate the thought of having a child as depressed as me. I honestly don't know how I feel about it. I've struggled with eating disorder stuff and addictions.. I would be saving my children a lot of trouble if I never had them. But then again I do have good genetics otherwise and I do have good qualities that would be great if passed on. I decided not to stress about having a child. If I find a man and it happens, great but if it doesn't I can feel at peace knowing I don't have a child who is suffering.

Answer

I think being aware of what to look for and getting help is very helpful, so I would still have a child.

Does anyone think about the possibility of their genetic mental illness being passed to future children?

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