Is there any way to prevent someone from acquiring a mental illness if their parent(s) had it?

Question

I know that sounds odd, but I'm serious.

Is there anything a parent can do to prevent their child from acquiring their (the parents) mental illness? Especially during childhood, is there something a parent can do to make a kid less likely to be bipolar (for example) then if they didn't know s/he was at risk?

I hope I'm wording this right... but if you know what I mean, is it possible?

Answer 1

My answer is similar to what other people have written. I do know bipolar parents who have children who have no mental health problems. This includes sone & daughters who have grown into their 20s and 30s.

However, many mental health issues are hereditary, so obviously this is something to watch out for. The fact that a parent is watching for early signs of a bipolar child is commendable. The earlier any kind of illness is noticed the better.

Some mental health problems can be helped significantly by psychotherapy, and I think many alternative health therapies can also help. Usually, these should be tried before exploring psychiatric medications. That's my opinion; other people will feel differently. With my own problems with clinical depression, I have found exercise to be one of the most powerful antidepressants available. The support group I attend for people with depression or bipolar disorder is also a big help.

Research suggests that the combination of psychotherapy with any necessary medication is the best approach. It is more effective than medication alone or therapy alone.

I hope this helps.

Answer 2

Most mental illnesses are inherited and/or chemical.  No you can't prevent bipolar, just treat it.  Certain people who have traumatic childhoods will get mental disorders, so those can be avoided.  But other than that, it's all about seeing a good doctor and showing as much love as possible to someone who has these conditions.

Answer 3

Your Top Contributor answer is correct as to what it is to have a chemical imbalance, but I think that it is important to educate yourself about the nature of the disorder...

Symptoms and treatments differ greatly from person to person.  I've actually met people with Bi-Polar Disorder who were cognizant of their own disorder and would communicate to me the severity of their symptoms.

Also just because a parent has it doesn't mean the child will get it.  It all has to do our DNA and what gene gets passed on to the child.  I know this because I have seen it personally.  

Educating yourself is the best option.  Don't confuse any of what I have said with any measure of prevention.  If a child gets a disorder they need to know the symptoms and also need to learn coping mechanisms(tools).  So many people expect a quick cure(instant gratification) from a medication and the truth is that at best

medication is only ever a temporary solution and many disorders treated by medication require therapy as well as medicine and the dosage or even the type of medicine has to be altered from time to time.

The reason that I can tell you this is because I have first hand experience with many disorders.  I have a lot of friends who have various disorders and I myself have an anxiety disorder from a past head-injury.

I hope I gave you a little insight that helps you.

Arm yourself with knowledge.

Good luck

Answer 4

It all depends. You cant really prevent it if youre folks had it, but you can keep the chances from getting worse. Dont get involved with chemicals or other some such. drugs hurt that sort of thing to. and dont blame youreself (if its you), that often times makes it hard on the kid.

Answer 5

No...these are often due to chemical imbalances and you cannot prevent that.