two hours ago i had one of the …
two hours ago i had one of the worst panic attacks of my life. sre i've had some anxiety since the illness began, but …
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Eyestwo22 
7:06am Saturday
Every 2 years we have our Extended Family Reunion It was time again this past weekend. I am now the "patriarch." of this Extended Family. Between my brother and sisters and their children,we have 18 children, ages 13 to 3months in the 3rd generation. An interesting fact is that there are 3 members in the first generation that are Dx Bipolar. Two members in the second generation are Dx Bipolar. ( My Grandmother,my Father.and his two sisters were also Bipolar).
So, it is obvious that the genetics of Bipolar are involves with my Family.
As I watch this third generation of children play and react with each other, my mind could not help but think and feel," which will be the next child with Bipolar". Then it came upon me that parental and environmental influence is a large part or percentage of Bipolar Disorder. And if the parents "play" it right ..... could these 18 kids just some how escape the wrath of the past "genetics". (There have been repeated findings that between a third and a half of adults diagnosed with bipolar disorder report traumatic/abusive experiences in childhood, which is associated on average with earlier onset. The total number of reported stressful events in childhood is higher in those with an adult diagnosis of bipolar spectrum disorder compared to those without, particularly events stemming from a harsh environment rather than from the child's own behavior. Early experiences of adversity and conflict are likely to make subsequent developmental challenges in adolescence more difficult, and are likely a potentiating factor in those at risk of developing bipolar disorder.)
I know I am a dreamer,however,there is a possibility. Do you at least agree ?
Children in a way are like tape recorders or parrots. They mimic or repeat what they hear and importantly what they see or observe. This is true for behavior, attitude and the formation of morals and lifestyle choices. The following text, from an unknown author describes this point very well. The poem can serve as a guide for parents, who must make sure that they realize that teaching is not only verbal but it is non verbal too.
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with acceptance and friendship, they learn to find love in the world.
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I think what you have stated logically makes a lot of sense. Our lives have become more complicated since I was a child. Both parents have to work to make ends meet, we live with a lot of stress and so do our children. The family structure has changed and deteriorated. I just had a conversation with someone about the difference in what it was like growing up as a child through three generations. My mother‘s childhood was so much simpler and fairly stress free compared to the complicated world we now live in. However, from the experience of my family and BP issues I can not be in agreement with all of your statements. My children were loved; cared for, nurtured, taught right from wrong, had great extended family support and had two parents involved in their lives. My adult children will tell you that their childhood was fun.
My husband’s grandfather was manic-depressive. My husband’s mother was manic depressive. There are no other known incidents of bipolar that we are aware of. Actually until recently we could not confirm this information about his relatives although we suspected it. There is no evidence of BP in my side of the family. We were able to do a thorough tracing of my family tree but my husband’s was limited because we could not find enough information to do a thorough search. My husband was the eldest child in his generation and has four siblings. The youngest child has many mental disabilities but was conceived toward the end of his mother’s life by another man who suffered from the same condition. The rest of the children showed no signs of BP. There are three children in the next generation who are bipolar all females and the last child born in each family including our daughter who is 35 and the eldest of the grandkids with bipolar. Thirty-nine years ago if it was known that his family members were manic depressive it was not revealed to us. Our daughter’s onset was in her early 20’s as she struggled through five years of an abusive marriage to a sociopath and diagnosed after a suicide attempt. Her doctors explained to me that it is common for stressful life events to trigger bipolar disorder in someone with a genetic vulnerability. Our branch of the family will not be passing on this disorder as both of my daughters decided they would not have children. I am very proud of my girls for taking the information they have and making such a responsible decision.
I think there is a lot more research to be done with BP and much more to be discovered about this illness. I hope that your third generation children and their families will be spared. As long as we can have hope there is a chance.
In answer to your question "Could Parental and Environmental Influence Help Off Set Bipolar Disorder?" It is possible but I think if the genetic vulnerability is there it is highly unlikely.
bobbilyn
Thanks, bobbilyn for sharing your family history. The genetic history of all Extended Families is the "clue" to where and how bipolar disorder will occur.
Yes, I know that genetics is the the "first gate" of entry for BP to enter our lives. However, we need to be constantly aware of our environmental stress and hope that we have the knowledge and strength to help limit that the entry.
Eyestwo22
If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith.
Hello Eyestwo....Hugs....Again very interesting....I really like this part...You see I grew up in a very abusive environment....I am not inflicted with bipolar however, I find much truth in the following....
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with acceptance and friendship, they learn to find love in the world.
Yes I so agree with all of this...but my question is this...What children are taught we often carry to adulthood...Oh so very true....But as adults if we are aware isn't it possible to choose change? To learn new healthier ways thereby replacing the old with the new? Of course bipolar can be an effect and from what I understand...and I could be mistaken here....But also involves chemical imbalances?? But sure it stands to reason no doubt.....
Thank you both for so openly sharing....Hugs
Love and Blessings, Serenity
serenitysun
lol ut oh...I forgot to add one last thought for now....
See the best thing my parents taught me is what not to do as an adult and I find great value in that....winks...
serenitysun
Serenity......You had very wise parents in that they taught you the calmness of calm and the peacefulness of peace.The opposite of which is agitation, anxiety, disruption, disturbance, excitement, trouble. Your value in the "Sun Shine" of your life.
Eyestwo22
Oh gosh no, I taught myself those things because they taught something very different...In adulthood I simply made a different choice then they had and in that I can say "my parents taught me what not to do....how I didn't want to be, or treat my children, or anyone else in this world...." perhaps I misunderstand....I am just very peaceful in the knowing that my own children never felt the chaos of my own childhood....Thank you so much for your response....I am already enjoying being a part of this forum...Very much so....Hugs
Love and Many Blessings, Serenity
serenitysun
I very much agree with you Fred, but add that personality traits and predisposition to "high stress" is also a factor. I KNOW my children have had a ;;;calmer;;; life than I did, but, I still have two with the disorder....and you know what? I can help them where my parents could not. So, the next generation has an even better chance of surviving with this disorder or avoiding it all together.
Shelly4