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Is Bipolar Disorder Hereditary?
Hi doctor, my dad(52) and sis (28)have bipolar disorder. for the past ten years,they have been swinging their mood regularly.they are better now. my sis is undergoing treatment but shes not getting cured completely.After few months , she will get again.is there any permanent cure for this?The problem is due to this my gfs family is saying they wont let her marry me as its hereditary. Could you advice what are the chances that if i have a baby with my wife, what are the chances? I dont know what to reply to her family as i am answer less.please advice
Thu, 7 Aug 2014
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
I understand that you are worried about the genetic risk of Bipolar disorder for your Children. Bipolar disorder does have a genetic component, but this is just one of the causative factors. According to scientific evidence, if one parent or if one sibling has Bipolar disorder, the chances for the relative to get Bipolar disorder is approximately 10 - 25 %. Since you don't have Bipolar disorder, the chances are mush lesser, but still there is a small risk.
Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for this illness and patients have to be on medication on a long term basis.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist
I understand that you are worried about the genetic risk of Bipolar disorder for your Children. Bipolar disorder does have a genetic component, but this is just one of the causative factors. According to scientific evidence, if one parent or if one sibling has Bipolar disorder, the chances for the relative to get Bipolar disorder is approximately 10 - 25 %. Since you don't have Bipolar disorder, the chances are mush lesser, but still there is a small risk.
Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for this illness and patients have to be on medication on a long term basis.
Wish you all the best.
Regards,
Dr. Jonas Sundarakumar MBBS., DPM., MRCPsych.(U.K.)
Consultant Psychiatrist
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