What happens to kids with bipolar parents?

It's not surprising that studies point to children of parents with bipolar disorder being more susceptible to psychosocial problems such as risky sexual behavior, substance abuse, aggressive behavior and risk of suicide.


How does a bipolar parent affect a child?

It can be very hard living with a parent who has bipolar disorder because that person may do or say things that make children feel bad, scared, sad, angry and often confused. This can happen when the parent is in a high or low mood.

Can you be a good parent with bipolar?

Absolutely. Parents with bipolar disorder can still be “good” parents. Someone with bipolar disorder has the same capacity to love and make mistakes as any other person. Mind.org details an account of a mom with bipolar disorder who internalizes how the condition affects her kids.


Will my child inherit my bipolar disorder?

Family History

If both parents have bipolar disorder, there's a 50% to 75% chance that a child of theirs will, too. If you already have one child with BP, there is a 15% to 25% chance that another of your children will also have it.

What is a bipolar parent like?

Common Ways Bipolar Disorder Affects a Parent

Individuals will have “manic highs” in which they have a lot of energy and often make rash, impulsive decisions. These manic periods will then be followed by extreme lows where depression takes over and the individual can't bring themselves to do anything.


Risks to Children of Parents With Bipolar Disorder



What to do if you have a bipolar parent?

One way you can help your parent is to let someone know if you feel like you need help dealing with your feelings, or if you have questions about what's happening. You can also work with your parent or doctor to develop a plan for when your parent has an episode.

Is bipolar a result of trauma?

Childhood trauma

Some experts believe that experiencing a lot of emotional distress as a child can cause bipolar disorder to develop. This could be because childhood trauma and distress can have a big effect on your ability to manage your emotions. This can include experiences like: Neglect.

Which parent carries the bipolar gene?

Defects in mitochondrial DNA sequences may contribute to a predisposition to such complex diseases as diabetes and bipolar disorder. Therefore, if all bipolar disorder patients have mitochondrial predisposition genes, then the transition of bipolar disorder from the mother's side would be higher.


At what age does bipolar show up?

Although bipolar disorder can occur at any age, typically it's diagnosed in the teenage years or early 20s. Symptoms can vary from person to person, and symptoms may vary over time.

What can trigger bipolar disorder?

A stressful circumstance or situation often triggers the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Examples of stressful triggers include: the breakdown of a relationship. physical, sexual or emotional abuse.

Should I have a child if I have bipolar?

A 2019 study also found no difference in pregnancy outcomes between women with bipolar disorder and those without. Still, a 2016 review of studies found that women with bipolar disorder had worse pregnancy outcomes than those without bipolar disorder.


Can people with bipolar take care of kids?

Mothers and fathers diagnosed with bipolar disorder can still be great parents. What people don't understand is that bipolar disorder is a medical illness just like cancer or diabetes, and it requires medication to treat the symptoms of the illness. If treated, we can be wonderful parents.

Does bipolar worse with age?

Bipolar may worsen with age or over time if this condition is left untreated. As time goes on, a person may experience episodes that are more severe and more frequent than when symptoms first appeared.

Is bipolar considered a disability?

Both the ADA and SSA consider bipolar disorder a disability. That qualifies you to get extra protection and benefits under the law. To start the process, talk with your doctor. You will need documents to prove to the government that bipolar disorder affects your ability to work.


How do you deal with a mentally unstable parent?

How to Deal With a Mentally Ill Parent
  1. Go to Therapy.
  2. Seeking therapy with a caring and nonjudgmental therapist can help individuals understand and empathize with mentally ill parents. ...
  3. Practice Meditation and Mindfulness.
  4. A person's thoughts play a significant role in how they view their life.


Is bipolar manipulative?

Manipulation isn't a formal symptom of bipolar disorder, although some people with the condition may exhibit this behavior. In some cases, manipulative behavior is a result of living with another mental health condition, such as personality disorders, substance use disorders, or trauma.

Are you born with bipolar or do you develop it?

Bipolar disorder is frequently inherited, with genetic factors accounting for approximately 80% of the cause of the condition. Bipolar disorder is the most likely psychiatric disorder to be passed down from family. If one parent has bipolar disorder, there's a 10% chance that their child will develop the illness.


When does bipolar disorder peak?

Bipolar disorder is a chronic mental illness with the peak age of onset between 20 and 40 years.

What are the first signs of being bipolar?

Symptoms - Bipolar disorder
  • feeling sad, hopeless or irritable most of the time.
  • lacking energy.
  • difficulty concentrating and remembering things.
  • loss of interest in everyday activities.
  • feelings of emptiness or worthlessness.
  • feelings of guilt and despair.
  • feeling pessimistic about everything.
  • self-doubt.


Does bipolar usually skip a generation?

According to medical experts, bipolar disorder can also skip generations. Bipolar disorder is a complex condition, and scientists do not fully understand the role that genes play. A combination of many different genes likely increases a person's chance of developing this condition.


What causes bipolar disorder to get worse?

Factors such as stress, poor sleep, and even seasonal changes can play a role in triggering your bipolar symptoms. Learn how you can reduce your risk of bipolar episodes and better manage your condition.

Who is most likely to get bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder affects men and women equally, as well as all races, ethnic groups, and socioeconomic classes. Although men and women appear to be equally affected by bipolar disorder, rapid cycling is seen more often in women. Women also tend to experience more depressive and mixed state episodes than do men.

What part of the brain is damaged in bipolar?

Bipolar disorder affects the thinner cortical gray matter in the frontal, temporal, and parietal regions of both brain hemispheres, and also the hippocampus.


Is bipolar caused by abuse?

Substance Abuse

People who abuse drugs or alcohol are also at risk for developing bipolar disorder. Substance use doesn't cause the disorder, but it can make mood episodes worse or hasten the onset of symptoms.

Can a stressful event trigger bipolar?

One of the most common bipolar triggers is stress. In a study published in June 2014 in the Journal of Affective Disorders, negative or stressful life events were associated with subsequent mood swings.