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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cybercafe on September 1, 2002, at 17:48:05
My doc told me the other day that my particular form of bipolar disorder is transmitted by mother only. I'm wondering how common this is and if anyone has anymore info on .. exactly how much we know about the method of transmission of genes involved in bipolar disorder
Posted by judy1 on September 1, 2002, at 21:05:43
In reply to Bipolar and genetics, posted by cybercafe on September 1, 2002, at 17:48:05
i honestly don't know how he could have told you that- particularly when the chromosome that carries bipolar disorder hasn't been found (they THINK it may lie on 18) and no one knows if its linked to the x or y chromosome- and if it's x, that's carried by both mother and father. also lots of people think environment may have something to do with it, so sorry your shrink sounds like he doesn't know what he's talking about. take care, judy
Posted by cybercafe on September 1, 2002, at 22:47:20
In reply to Re: Bipolar and genetics » cybercafe, posted by judy1 on September 1, 2002, at 21:05:43
> i honestly don't know how he could have told you that- particularly when the chromosome that
i think it is from anecdotal evidence?? .. i mean... maybe he met 100 people with my disorder, and found that all 100 had a maternal form of inheritance
>carries bipolar disorder hasn't been found (they THINK it may lie on 18) and no one knows if its linked to the x or y chromosome- and if it's x,
Yep! i asked him which one it is... and he said he doesn't know, the chromosome hasn't been discovered yet (and there is probably more than one, etc etc)
>something to do with it, so sorry your shrink sounds like he doesn't know what he's talking about. take care, judy
yeah i am not impressed by the knowledge of most shrinks... i am very very cynical ... but ! he is most definately one of the most knowledgable i have come across...... by far!
Posted by Silly Brain on September 19, 2002, at 15:09:03
In reply to Re: Bipolar and genetics, posted by cybercafe on September 1, 2002, at 22:47:20
Hi Folks,
I'm a student of genetics. Almost all diseases with
a genetic componenet rely on a specific environments
to activate them. This is true for all genetic
traits. For instance, we all are genetically
programmed to learn a language. But for those
awful cases where kids are locked in closets and
such, they do not learn to speak. The brain is ready
to learn to speak, but only in a speech-promoting
environment.Think of this for mental disorders as well. You need
to be in a disorder-promoting environment for the
"disorder" genes to express themselves. We know that
quite a lot of people with the "gene for bipolar"
(I can't remember which one now, but I do think it
is on chromosome 18) DO NOT HAVE bipolar. However,
most people with the disorder, have the gene, so we know it
is involved - but not by itself causitive.Just like there are environments that promote
physical diseases, there are environments that
promote mental ones. Which is why the best treatment
for any mental illness is both therapy (to change
one's lifestyle to a less disease promoting one)
and medication (to fix the resulting neurological
changes resulting from living a disease promoting
lifestyle).Of course, sometimes one's lifestyle isn't one's choice,
especially in the case of children. So in terms of
bipolar being "mother linked" it may be that a mentally
unwell mother is unable to provide a healthy environment
for a growing child, which in turn promotes development
of disorders in the child.Hope this helps,
Silly
Posted by CarpeDiem on September 22, 2002, at 10:54:56
In reply to Re: Bipolar and genetics, posted by Silly Brain on September 19, 2002, at 15:09:03
Hi Silly Brain,
Do you think anti-depressant's are a quick fix and suppress the core issues one is working on during recovery. I am considering Zoloft again(have been on before)but nervous since I am a recovering alcoholic/relationship addict that is working on core issues and seeking spirituality and balance. They say pain is the "touchstone" to spritiual growth. I do not want the "easy way out" or to use a cushion.
Thanks so much!
Posted by Silly Brain on September 22, 2002, at 18:02:21
In reply to Re: Bipolar and genetics, posted by CarpeDiem on September 22, 2002, at 10:54:56
Wow, that's a big question. I'm not at all sure I'm qualified to answer it, but I'll give you my personal opinion.
I don't think that antidepressants are a quick fix or supress core issues. In fact, I think in complicated cases where enivronmental pressures are not being dealt with, they will be totally worthless. I think a stressful, abusive environment can mess up your brain chemistry, and medication can help, but unless you get out of the situation that is stressing your brain, what good are you really doing? But feeling better does often help people change for the best.
I'm not big on spirituality. Sure, pain motivates you to change - but the whole point there is to move out of the pain. Not sit in it.
That's my opinion and my experience. Go with your own.
Silly
> Hi Silly Brain,
>
> Do you think anti-depressant's are a quick fix and suppress the core issues one is working on during recovery. I am considering Zoloft again(have been on before)but nervous since I am a recovering alcoholic/relationship addict that is working on core issues and seeking spirituality and balance. They say pain is the "touchstone" to spritiual growth. I do not want the "easy way out" or to use a cushion.
>
> Thanks so much!
Posted by ST on October 28, 2002, at 19:10:54
In reply to Re: Bipolar and genetics, posted by Silly Brain on September 19, 2002, at 15:09:03
HI,
What a clear and informative message! Thank you so much. I had always wondered if my bi-polar genes would have surfaced if I had had a better home life growing up. My childhood was what you'd call "crazymaking". Although I had a bout with depression and suicide when I was 15, my BP disorder didn't realy surface till I was about 24. Do you think it's true that BP disorder can come on at any age? Most doctors feel that it comes on by the time you're in your mid-twenties or not all.
Thanks,
Sarah
> Hi Folks,
>
> I'm a student of genetics. Almost all diseases with
> a genetic componenet rely on a specific environments
> to activate them. This is true for all genetic
> traits. For instance, we all are genetically
> programmed to learn a language. But for those
> awful cases where kids are locked in closets and
> such, they do not learn to speak. The brain is ready
> to learn to speak, but only in a speech-promoting
> environment.
>
> Think of this for mental disorders as well. You need
> to be in a disorder-promoting environment for the
> "disorder" genes to express themselves. We know that
> quite a lot of people with the "gene for bipolar"
> (I can't remember which one now, but I do think it
> is on chromosome 18) DO NOT HAVE bipolar. However,
> most people with the disorder, have the gene, so we know it
> is involved - but not by itself causitive.
>
> Just like there are environments that promote
> physical diseases, there are environments that
> promote mental ones. Which is why the best treatment
> for any mental illness is both therapy (to change
> one's lifestyle to a less disease promoting one)
> and medication (to fix the resulting neurological
> changes resulting from living a disease promoting
> lifestyle).
>
> Of course, sometimes one's lifestyle isn't one's choice,
> especially in the case of children. So in terms of
> bipolar being "mother linked" it may be that a mentally
> unwell mother is unable to provide a healthy environment
> for a growing child, which in turn promotes development
> of disorders in the child.
>
> Hope this helps,
> Silly
This is the end of the thread.
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