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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Bipolar Disorder Hereditary?

A very close friend of mine has been recently diagnosed Bipolar and the coincidence that this came online the very same day that he informed me is so valuable I can not thank you enough. He is in his late 50 s and has been involved in several severe accidents that have caused over 30 years of pain and problems. I think that since he has received his diagnosis he is able to accept his problems and try to deal with them. One Psychiatrist told him that his Bipolar is due to his mother being Bipolar and as you know it is not hereditary but I feel that the possibility is there....Could the fact that his mother was have a viable bearing on his recent diagnosis?
Fri, 30 Sep 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Bipolar disorder can be genetic. Chances of getting bipolar disorder in first degree relatives are high when any of the two parents has bipolar disorder. But it is not always universal. Bipolar disorder can occur even without any family history of bipolar disorder. Hereditary is one of the causative components of bipolar disorder. This applies to other mental disorders also. Effective treatment is available for bipolar disorder. Lithium and valproic acid are used for its treatment. Bipolar disorder can be fully controlled with medicines and family and social support. Be in touch with psychiatrist.
I hope this information will help you.
Thanks
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Is Bipolar Disorder Hereditary?

Bipolar disorder can be genetic. Chances of getting bipolar disorder in first degree relatives are high when any of the two parents has bipolar disorder. But it is not always universal. Bipolar disorder can occur even without any family history of bipolar disorder. Hereditary is one of the causative components of bipolar disorder. This applies to other mental disorders also. Effective treatment is available for bipolar disorder. Lithium and valproic acid are used for its treatment. Bipolar disorder can be fully controlled with medicines and family and social support. Be in touch with psychiatrist. I hope this information will help you. Thanks