could it be???

[tryingtostaypositive]

I was wondering if someone here could give me a little more detail about what bipolar disorder is? I mean like what are the symptons exactly? Are there several different kinds of bipolar?
My brother-in-law was diagnosed with some type and my husband has some strange behavior that I can't put a finger on and I wonder if it is possible that this is heriditery?(sp) Are you generally born with this or can tramatic experiences cause this? Thanks........

 

[Alive again]

See this sticky at the top of the forum for answers about symptoms.

http://christianforums.com/showthread.php?t=2565317 (Sorry, I have been missing much of my helps since the refurb around here.)

Yes, there is more than one type of BP. Yes, there can be a inherited component to BP. For example, in my family, My father was diagnosed bp2 in his 50's, My borther had undiagnosed issues in his teen, my other two brothers, if they have anything it would be anger issues (hmm, not that bad and not that unusual for males in our culture). I was depressed as a teen and adult, diagnosed as bp2 in my 40's, my son showed symptoms at age 6 of depression and was diagnosed as a teen with bp2, my daughter has low self esteem, but may be related to growing up with a very depressed mother and life, so I would not say she has an illness. BP when inherited may skip generations etc. Age of onset can vary with deverity of the illness and type of bp, etc, etc ,etc

All that said, it takes a qualified practitioner to make a diagnosis. There is overlap between symptoms with other mental helath illnesses, some of which trauma can cause. There are many theories out there if trauma can trigger a latent gene, etc. There are theories about PCOS, gluten intolerance etc mimicking the illness of BP. SO it is still under research. All that said (again) none of it matters unless the person themselves is willing and interested in finding out and seeking treatment.

Hope this thumbnail sketch of a few things helps.

 

[tryingtostaypositive]

Thank you so much for your help and response... I just pray I can get him convinced to have himself checked out.