genes

Hello, I am new too. I think it has been recent that bi-polar is diagnosed earlier; in the teens and twenties. My son was diagnosed two years ago at age 16. When we look back the signs were there very young. At 18 he is presently stable and taking meds with lots of encouragement from us.

You see, I call us a small little group home: My husband was diagnosed at age 51 and I was diagnosed the most recent at age 50. For all of us, the struggles were with us at earlier ages and time and science I think finally caught up with us.

Recently, I participated in a study that is looking for the "gene", excuse the pun that may well diagnose or predict bi-polar as early as pregnancy. The study was extensive and showed me hope for the future. Imagine if you knew the chances of passing on the gene to your future children? And yes, if I had known my son was pre-disposed I would have chosen to have him. I truly believe the tools will soon be available to predict and tackle this disease.

I am truly grateful that the diagnosis came early enough to have the chance to teach my son the importance of medication, whether wanted or not can be the key to his successful future. Recognizing the triggers that set us into
depression or manic behaviors is vital to all of us.

As a family with this disease we are both blessed and sometimes cursed yet, there is always someone who understands very close by. We try and keep each other on track and without one of us we would be troubled.

By the hour I can predict I am somewhere between a mild or moderate phase of something. Medications are sometimes hard to keep up with especially with the loss of medical insurance. The yellow pages sometimes becomes the link to local service available for mental illness with local county government.

Take good care,
genes