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Chances of developing Bipolar Disorder?
I'm 22, F. My whole family is certain that my mother has bipolar disorder. Her mother (my grandmother) had it too. I've looked up information about it, and my mom fits the classic case:
-bouts of depression, paranoid thoughts/feelings
-obsession--especially about weight/food--she practically tortures my poor sister about this, to the point of almost being a spy.
- manic thoughts/actions: she frequently does things to draw attention to herself. (for example, at parties, she dances really crazy and laughs the loudest)..she also complains (abnormally) if she has even the tiniest amount of pain
-yells like a maniac when she gets mad.
- she denies that anything at all is wrong with her, and frequently accuses family members (especially my dad) of being paranoid...as a reminder, we are all normal, and she's the only one causing excessive problems.
the root cause of ALL our family problems is my mother. I swear..everyone knows it. If it weren't for her, everything would be fine. I've heard things from my brother/father, and see things with my own eyes--we all know she's bipolar, but she does not acknowledge that she has a problem AT ALL>
So, I'm 22...and I've never, ever displayed any signs at all of bipolar disorder. But I know it's mainly genetic, and I'm concerned that it could show up later on in my life, or my siblings..
Does anyone know what the chances of it showing up are, given that I'm already 22 and have never shown any signs at all?
Thanks
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Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
This does not sound like bipolar disorder to me. I have had battles with it. The depression, paranoi, suicidal thoughts can be signs of mental illness but not neccesarily bipolar disorder. Yelling like a maniac when one is angry is not a sign of bipolar disorder or mental illness it's a sign that a person really, really loses it when upset and for some that's normal.
Manic thoughts and actions are almost always when a person thinks they are someone else, influences the world, is delusiuonal and cannot tell reality from unreality. They also talk super-fast and could pose danger to themselves or others. Your mother drawing attention to herself dancing oddly is not a sign of mania or being manic.
It is true that a person that is really manic will not think anything is wrong, denial etc. Nothing you have written again makes me think she is manic or even bipolar.
It seems to me everyone wants to gang up on this poor woman and blame their problems and issues on her. No matter what the situation problems we face are ours to deal with and you again have not shown how she is a problem. Perhaps, she's denying she has a problem with bipolar disorder because she is not bipolar.
Only a psychiatrist who assessed her and observed her for an extended period can label her bipolar. Your family may think she has a problem but cannot help yourselves or her unless you do get her assessed.
Until that happens do not worry about you becoming bipolar. Just because it is genetic does not mean you will ever experience it. If you do not have any symptoms try to live normally--deal with it if it occurs but do not live every day afraid of it as that's pointless.
I know you have read books etc etc and know about mental illness but it's important not to self-diagnose or diagnose others in your family based on genetic history. If there are no signs of illness now do not worry about later or what if. You will cross that road with your doctor/family when you get to that bridge.
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i would so if u dont show the signs as your mother and your grandmother has then again they are older so you may develope it at an older age. But it would be good to consult a doctor now that you know your family history.
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