Does it run in families?

from what i read, it's not a genetic disease or something. but if you have bipolar or depression or schizo, it seems that your children may have it too. the possibility of having these dissorder was increasing if you related with someone who had that disorder. with twins or sibling, the possibility can be very high. yes, this disorder not directly a genetic disorder. but bipolar happens because there's something wrong with some neurotransmitter in the brain. how your brain manage your neurotransmitter (produce or disposal) can somehow disturb because your DNA wrongly translated or it because environmental factor, or any accident that involves your head... =p the molecular study of bipolar keeps continued until this moment, for further information, just visit the american journal of psychiatry i've just study about bipolar and hope this information can help you

I am really sorry about posting the forwarded message I got. I emphatize with you. I know it is really hard. I've been there too, but mine is depression. How are you and your son? I just hope and pray that everything will be fine.

Bipolar disorder is considered to be a result of complex interactions between genes and environment. It is not either environmental or physiological, it is multifactorilal; that is , many genes and environmental factors conspire to create the disorder. Because bipolar disorder tends to run in familes, researchers have been searching for specific genes- the "microscopic building blocks" of DNA inside all cells that influence how the body and mind work and grow- passed down through generations that may increase a person's chance of developing the illness. In addition, findings from gene research suggest tha bipolar disorder, like other mental illnesses, does not occur because of a single gene. It appears likely that many different genes act together, and in combination with other factors of the person or the person's environment to cause bipolar disorder.