Depression, anxiety, schizoprenia?
Question:
Will this be passed down to my kids? Or skip a generation to my grandkids?
Answers:
All of the things you list probably or definitely have some genetic component, but it is not as simple as "every generation" or "skipping generations", because none of these things is a simple dominant pattern of inheritance--i.e., "either you have it or you don't". It's much more complicated--what we call multifactorial, which for a wonder means just what it ought to. There are probably lots of different genes involved and also environmental factors.
Children of depressives are more likely to be depressed. About 1% of the population has schizophrenia, and having a first-degree relative (a parent or a full sibling) who has it brings up your risk considerably, but it *does not guarantee* that you will have it. Even an identical twin is only at 50% risk.
So there is no way to know what traits your children will inherit. There is also not much point in worrying about it--there is no form of genetic inheritance that doesn't contain some bad things, if you see what I mean. And there will also be many wonderful and unique things.
Don't forget that your partner (can't tell from your message whether you are male or female) will also be donating half of those genetics. *g*
In all seriousness, I understand that it's worrisome. It might be helpful to talk to a genetic specialist. It's an interest of mine, but I am, first, not a fully-qualified professional and second, not able to completely address your very complex concern in such a small format. Feel free to contact me directly if I can be of any help, though.
It will always differ hun.It is heredetary,but it does not discriminate.
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some of these conditions are passed down through alternate generations, some are passed down direclty and others are never seen again. genetics are not the sole causes of these issues either, so soldier on sweetie
I'm pretty sure it is passed to each generation. Is your mom depressed and anxious? Find out. Scientifically it is said the children take on the mental health of their mothers. Depression and panic disorder are no picnic, but those conditions can be treated with meds...most work fabulously! Talk to your doctor, he can help.
Several of my family members have these, my brother is schizophrenic and my parents had depression on some level, I also have depression (clinical) and my daughter has it also, she takes meds for it and she seems to be doing fine, so it obviously is inherited. I don't know if it skips a generation or not.
More important is what you are doing for you in the present situation and not whether it will be passed down the line.
Suppose if you can have a cure then you can stop worrying about kids and garandkids.
These all have high heredary links. They don't skip generations, but you don't know if you have the schizophrenic genes to pass on. And, even if you do, you don't know if it will manifest. Current thinking is that you have to have the right gene combinations and an early life stress to trigger schizophrenia. Possibly this also applies to depression and anxiety. It does for bipolar, which unfortunately, may be lurking in your gene tree, too.
So, the most important thing that you can do is fully manage your own illnesses. Be religiously med compliant, and if the meds aren't cutting it, get into the doc quick. See a therapist if you are having difficulty coping. The why is easy, it's so that you can be a fully engaged and loving mother consistently. Not to put pressure on you, but that's especially important with your genes.
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