It can be......super hard to trace if you don't have immediate connections. I haven't been able to connect to anyone in my family but I'm sure if I look hard enough I might find something. :)

What a toughie to answer...

Kay Redfield Jamison in her book "Touched by Fire" traces many literary families and determines there seems to be a genetic component

Proof in the genes themselves is hard to pin down. But when one examines emotional dispositions it seems so likely....just my opinion .

My mother struggled with depression as did her mother so no surprise I do too :(

I really think it is. Once I got DX it explained a lot about my past actions and I'm pretty sure my dad and a few cousins are

The closest thing they've been able to pin down is that there is a genetic component, but it can change and degenerate through generations. Ex. My mother had UniPolar Depression, my father anti-social behavior, I have BiPolar Disorder, my son has ADD. Each generation it migrates into a different form of Mental Illness. The genes don't pass directly down code for code. If it did it would be a lot easier to find a deterrent for it.

There is a strong generic component.

There was one of those massive twins studies - in identical twins (same genes, same childhood environment) if one had bipolar the chances the other also had it was 80%. With fraternal twins (similar genes, same childhood environment) that fell to about 27%. (that 27% can be explained by a reasonable chance that the various genes for bipolar are going to be more common in both).

Other studies show similar correlations if there are family members with bipolar or schizophrenia.

My mom's side of the family has mental issues. Some of them do. And one of my dad's side of the family. I would say it may run in family blood lines. Dunno.

I say yes. My father and three of his sisters have it, his father had it, and a great grandmother had something similar.

I think it's pretty clear that there's a genetic component. What would be really great is if they could use genetic research and testing to determine drug use and compatibility! Meds tailored to your precise, genetic needs!

I found this link just now on my FB feed https://bbrfoundation.org/brain-matters-discoveries/study-finds-some-autism-and-schizophrenia-related-genes-may-also-be

From what I understand (NOT AN EXPERT) you are likely to inherit bipolar disorder if your family has ANY history of mental illness, particularly depression, Seasonal affective disorder, other mood disorders and of course bipolar disorder. Much of my family seems to suffer from depression, but none have been diagnosed bipolar that I know of. BUT there is also supposedly an 'environmental factor' that plays a part on whether you will develop the disorder or not.

That being said I don't think we really know that much about it. There are a lot of groundbreaking studies happening right now, and perhaps there will be much better answers in the near future. But for now I think we are a bit in the dark, maybe not so much on the genetics of it, but the treatments and the whys and hows seem to be largely unanswered.

We can probably thank the pharmaceutical companies and doctors for the hindrance of progress, because god knows they are making bank off of us.

They only make money in countries like the US.

Other countries control the price pharma can charge and doctors are trying to help people.

Even in the US pharma is driven to find better treatments because that their patents / research brings in more money.

If pharma was a hindrance then we would still all just be on lithium

Hmm, I've been managing bipolar on 'just lithium' for years. Well and a good diet and exercise. I went from manic every 5 years to being hospitalized for out of control mania to no major (key word major) episodes for 10 years. I initially tried all sorts of the other meds, many of which had horrible side effects and nobody really knows all of what they are doing, with no good long term effects.

I've read more success stories of people taking lithium than any other drugs honestly.

I understand there are probably a few good willed people in the pharma and medical industry, I've found some decent doctors and therapists after tons of searching... but most of those people are in it for the money, I'll think twice before I guinea pig any of their drugs for them.

I was on risperdal right when I was diagnosed, all ignorant and trustworthy of the system... horrid side effects, probably didn't even need any drugs, just needed regular sleep and eating etc to bring me down from mania, but no, instead I got prescribed a drug by a hospital that got recalled a few years later and had multiple class action law suits filed against it... no thanks.

What are your experiences?

ok, that's your experience, it's not mine.

My experiences are that the doctors really want to help but you have to help them help you. Good self awareness, going back if there are problems, being willing to try things all help. Being informed and showing you are informed.

That way you work more as a team with a common goal rather than something adversarial or some kind of parent child type dynamic.

Lithium literally changed my life and for years my parents were against it due to the stigma of their generation. Now, I wouldn't be able to live my life the way I do without it.

The chances of having bipolar disorder are increased if you have a family history of it. The propensity to get Schizophrenia as well as alcoholism is increased if there is a family history as well. It isn't a slam dunk, but the tendency is there. I have friends who have bipolar disorder, and for some of them they can trace it back for generations. But forewarned is forearmed, and while you can't prevent it from happening, if you can catch the warning signs early, it might help you to intervene before it becomes a crisis situation.