[irelady10]

My son's biomom self-reported that she is bipolar.

What does anyone know about genetics and bipolar. I read that having one bipolar parent raises a child's chance for developing the disorder to 25%.

I also have information that the biomom is schizophrenic; don't know if this is in fact true...I'm assuming that there is some serious mental illness, though.

My son is a young toddler. I know he's much too young to know if he will develop either of these disorders. What, though, should I be on the look out for? How young can issues present themselves? I rather be proactive than reactive...I'm not assuming that he will develop either- I just want to be informed. (But, I will admit I worry about it- guess this is just normal?)

Thanks!!

[lovemy6]

My kids' bios have mental health issues. Honestly, I don't really think about it any more. We've had the kids for almost 8 years and we just take their stuff as it comes. We helped them all heal from RAD. My one son has Asperger's (dx'd last year). Yes, they're all at risk for developing mental illnesses, but so are kids who are born to us.

I would tell you to just enjoy each day with your child and don't look too hard for things. If you do, you might find things that aren't really there.

[UnconventionalMom]

If you're not noticing more extreme behaviors right now, I would say in my unprofessional opinion that you're probably not in the danger zone. BiPolar disorder which doesn't show up in the early years tends to start presenting in the tween and early teen years along with hormonal changes.