Chances of future kids getting it if relatives have it? - Schizophrenia Message Board

Ophelia1920 · 02-05-2003, 11:24 AM

Hi, I've been looking at a few websites but can't find the answer to my question. My boyfriend and I have been talking about marriage and kids. His mother and aunt have schizophrenia, and last night he said now that he thinks about it, he's pretty sure his Grandpa had it also (paranoid and obsessive/compulsive).
His grandparents had 5 kids, the men don't have mental illness but the women do. My boyfriend mentioned he was a bit worried about getting it, but I THINK he is in the clear (he is 32).

What I'm wondering is, does anyone know what the chances are of our kids having mental illness, since it is genetic?
It is not going to stop me from having kids with him, but I would like to be prepared for anything that might come up, and learn as much as I can about it.
His aunt went off her medication and is getting worse, that's another reason I'm trying to learn about it.

When someone says paranoid things to you, what is the proper response? Do you just agree with them or does that make it worse?

Any advice appreciated, thank you!

arebe · 02-05-2003, 04:48 PM

Genetics are funny. There's the whole dominate and recessive gene aspect to consider, plus when you have kids you throw your own genes into the mix. I think it's great that you're going to have kids no matter what you think the chances are. Love triumphs over everything. And if your children do end up being affected, who knows, maybe they'll have a "cure" for schizophrenia by then. They certainly have made quite a bit of progress thus far, and I'd expect that progress to make a crashindo(spelling?). As far as how to respond to paranoid thoughts, I would say speak your mind and don't "play along" as that could enforce their paranoid beliefs. Hope this helps in some way.

chiron · 02-06-2003, 05:22 AM

Try this:

[url="http://www.genetics.com.au/Genetics2003/FactSheets/35.asp"]http://www.genetics.com.au/Genetics2003/FactSheets/35.asp[/url]

autismfamily · 02-14-2003, 11:36 PM

My ex husband is paranoid schizophrenic. We have two autistic kids.

Many of the families on the lists I am on have a connection to schizophrenia. Some have siblings and others have parents.

A few years ago Discovery Channel did a show on Fire and Mind I think and the chances of having a child with schizophrenia is 50%.

Long ago people confused childhood schizophrenia with infantile autism.

Something to consider, broaden the search when looking into genetics beyond schizophrenia.

Bonnie

lifeiswonderful · 02-15-2003, 04:33 PM

Scitzophrenia could be a possibility in your kids but it would have to be triggered by something..maybe an extremely stressful event or harsh drug use..drugs like lsd that alter your view on reality.