[kevin32]

We are a couple from Toronto, Ontario Canada that were presented a file from the Children's Aid of Toronto whose mother had sczhicophrenia. What we would like to know, what are the chances of him getting it, what are the stats, what is involved to take of a child who has this mental disease? Any info would be appreciated.

[Shoshana]

Hi:

There IS an increased risk for adopted away children of a schizophrenic parent to develop schizophbrenia. I don't know the exact number but it is far from a given. If you like, I can try to find out and write back on Monday. The risk that the child will devlop schizophrenia increases if he/she is raised in an "bizarre" (disordered communication) adoptive home.

I do know that for identical twins, the concordance rate for schizophrenia is about .4 (meaning 40% of the time, both twins develop schizophrenia). If the disease were completely genetic, then the concordance rate would be 1.0. (The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown).

Honestly, I don't know what I'd do in your situation. I would try to find out more info about the birth mother's family history of mental illness. If there are other close relatives with schizophrenia (or any of the related disorders - schizoaffective, schizophreniform, schizotypal, schizoid) it would increase the risk to the child.

Also, and I hope this isn't more information than you were wanting -- Schizophrenia is an incredibly heterogeneous (broad) disorder -- meaning, the many possible symptoms cluster in so many different ways so that two people with the disorder might appear to have no common symptoms. Because of this, it can be misdiagnosed. Sometimes, the manic phases of bipolar disorder can look like schizophrenia (as well as the related disorders I listed above).

Best of luck to you in making this difficult decision.

[Shoshana]

Sorry, I forgot to answer the second part of your question 'what is involved in taking care of a child ...'

Well, schizophrenia usually begins in young adulthood, although there are usually some symptoms in adolescence. It is a devastating disorder. There are new medications that do a better job of treating the symptoms than the ones that were previously available (even 20 years ago). That said, there is no cure for the disorder. And the meds don't help every one. Some people with schizophrenia are able to function quite well in society, but that is probably the exception.

In a child who might go on to develop this disorder, you'd probably see problems in interpersonal relationships and maybe even some significant psychotic symptoms.

[ladyjubilee]

Kevin,

You might want to read "The Bipolar" child. It briefly covers a range of mood disorders, and might give you a "hint" at what the "what would it be like" question.

You might all go onto the special needs adoption forum---many of the parents there have children with mood disorders.

Until recently, the definitions of various mood disorders depended on the person being an adult....but once those definitions changed, and childhood symptoms of the same illnesses came to be reconized, professionals suddenly found children do have these "adult onset" disorders---and now have treatments available.

Incidentally, the concordance rate does not have to be "100%". Just because we have a gene for something does not have necessarily mean we have that "something". Many genes only "turn on/off" when triggered by an environmental factor....the question becomes what is that factor--in a world where we face a million variables and permutations in a single day, we might be able to determine what that trigger is for that particular gene.

[Shoshana]

Hi Kevin

[Shoshana]

Hi Kevin

Since you asked for statistics -- I double checked the figures I posted earlier and they are correct. Also, the first degree relatives (parent - child - sibling) of schizophrenic persons have a 10 fold increase in the risk for developing schizophrenia.

[collinsfriend]

My son's friend growing up was raised by his grandmother. His mother and possibly father are institutionalized for schiz. He was fairly normal, a little quiet growing up. At 18 it hit. It was very sad to watch. His grandmother died, his uncle and aunt stole his inheritance (they were already rich) and he gradually lost touch with himself. He started by staring for hours (catatonic) then he would drive his car until he ran out of gas in a town he didn't know. He started showing interest in "girlfriends"-5-10 year olds. He was arrested on new years eve walking naked in another town, (released by mental heath hours before) to bring in the real new year. He thinks my son is satan and he is supposed to worship him. This of course disturbs my married with a daughter, son and us. In any case he is institutionalized now as he can't function and is dangerous, especially to young girls, or anyone he thinks is an enemy of satan. He has attacked a friend for objecting to him staring at him for 2-3 hours. He tries to contact my son many times a day for several years now. If you have a lot of money and good onsurance and a lot of patience and good mental health providers in case of the worst case senario, then adoption may be a good thing for all of you. It may not affect the child, but you should be educated and finacially able to cope well and manage if the worst does happen.

[shepchev]

Dear Kevin32,

I am a 26 year old who is adopted and has a biological mother with schizophrenia. My biological mother had 7 children, 6 of whom I have met. Out of the 7 of us only 1 has schizophrenia. I have researched and read books on schizophrenia until I have been blue in the face. All of that is irrelavent.

If you feel a bond with the child and think that you can give it the life that it deserves then I would take my chances. Especially if I knew that I had the opportunity to give him or her a better life.

Quite frankly I am gratefull my parents did not base there decision on whether or not I would have the same illness as my mother.

Best Wishes and I am sure you will make the best decision for you and your family

[koon38]

While the chances are there, it doesn't mean that it will develop. My birthmother has sciczophrenia, and I am a perfectly mentally stable 23 year old. At least that's what the voices in my head tell me. (hope I didn't offend anyone). Plus, it is a disorder that can be treated be medication. So if it does pass on, it's not the end.

Hope that gives any insight,

Rob

[cass0123]

I understand your concern.
My sons birth father has the disease and the doctor said that my son has a 7% chance of getting it.
It worried me at first but now it doesnt matter.
You love your child regardless and you find ways to manage.
It isn't usually triggered until the late teens to early twenties so you have plenty of time to bond and develop a plan of action should you need it.
dont let your worry consume you, you will never find a "perfect" child and I'm sure that this child would blossom with parents that are as caring as you sound.