[goat granny]

Don't know where you get your information, but its not inheritable. Since lawyers found out they can us it as a defense, ignorance abound. It can be relatively mind. Everyones emotions can have ups and downs. Bi Polar those emotions are extreme ups and depressive downs. Lithium can easily control the ups and downs, makes the emotions in a more normal up and downs. Have, as a nurse occasionally worked on our psych unit. Have seen it all, but with lithium you have to be monitored closely. It can reach toxic levels. Usually blood is drawn every week and medication kept within non toxic levels.

Interesting thing about lithium is that it started out on trial for a certain heart disease with was stopped when it found out that the drug was very useful in treating bi-polar problems....there is a certain area of Texas that has a natural lithium within the soils and no bi-polar situations occur in that area...Has to be under psychiatric doctor not a GP. It does have some side effects due to it actually being a type of salt...

[EinNYC]

Don't know where YOU got YOUR information, but bipolar disorder IS heritable. Children with close relatives, such as parents, have a higher chance of having bipolar disease than children who do not.

FROM http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/37010.php:

"...Genetics - some small twin studies have indicated that there is a "substantial genetic contribution" to bipolar disorder risk. People with a blood relative who has bipolar disorder have a higher risk of developing it themselves. Currently, scientists are trying to identify which genes are involved..."

FROM the Mayo Clinic:

"...Inherited traits. Bipolar disorder is more common in people who have a blood relative (such as a sibling or parent) with the condition. Researchers are trying to find genes that may be involved in causing bipolar disorder..."

FROM the National Institute of Mental Health:

"...Bipolar disorder tends to run in families. Some research has suggested that people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder than others. Children with a parent or sibling who has bipolar disorder are much more likely to develop the illness, compared with children who do not have a family history of bipolar disorder. However, most children with a family history of bipolar disorder will not develop the illness..."

Having a bipolar parent is not a guarantee that a child will have bipolar disorder, but it definitely increases their odds. All I intended to convey is that this child should be watched for signs of bipolar disorder. I did not advocate for abortion or any other deleterious treatment for this child.

[Kozak]

Uh, there is a definite familial component to Bi Polar Affective Disorder. Significantly higher probability if a parent has it.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder/index.shtml

[monocle]

I beg to differ with you. The Mayo Clinic, the WebMD and many other influential organizations pronounce that genetics play a role in bipolar disorders. Google can be your friend.