Yes,Yes.Mental illness is hereitary.I know all to well about this subject.I got it from my Dad's side of the family.My sister and 3 of my nieces have it.

It is with you, but brought out by something stressful or tramatic event.Usually it happens in your early 20's when kids go off to college.In my case I was fine til the death of my Mom(10yrs) ago.I could not even leave the house for 2yrs.I struggle everyday to fight off depression/anxiety,panic attacks and SAD.

I take Cymbalta and Klonepin and that helps me alot.I still miss alot of work because of problems associated with my depression.It's a battled to fight eveyday,but I have to work.

If you have anymore questions I am very open on this subject..

Take Care.

Yvonne

Hi .... thank you both--I do understand what you both wrote.  Yvonne--I do believe you when you say there is a gene for it, but what if I am the only one in the "family tree" with a mental illness?  Does it mean it lay dormant in others in the family, just no major thing happened in their lives to bring it out?  Just curious about that one.  I am schizoaffective, Bipolar type (1), PTSD, severe depression...list a little longer (in my profile). There was no brain damage.  It just kind of happened when I graduated college, and a little before that.  Thank you for answering my blog.

Melissa.

Hello Melissa genes are very diffucult to understand and work different with everyones brain wiring. Sometime you need to try different meds and combination of meds. Don't give up keep going to your doctor until you get it right for you and your wiring. Like yvonne said it is usally stress that brings it on. and other major events in peoplels lives. Sometimes it comes to head from child hood experiences. Don't give up keep trying there is nothing wrong with you. Keep posting

Smile

Sheilah

It might only effected you or your other family members could have it dormant.My 2 other brothers do not have it,and one was a cop for 30yrs(and thats stressful).In my opinion brain damage does not cause this type of mental illness.But maybe it was building up during college and when you finished and have to go in the world that could of triggered it.The main triggers are a death,divorce,life stresses,for a child when they leave home for the first time and go to college.Hope that helped.Write me anytime.

Yvonne

Thank you every one for your support.  I will continue to keep posting.  This board is wonderful and I am learning a lot and meeting some really nice and caring people.  Thank you for accepting me as I am.   In my life not many people want to deal with mental illness.  I have 3 friends, one in CA, (I live in MA). The other 2 live in the same building I do but we don't do much together--however they are very supportive in helping to drive me to appts every week.  I will write as people post and will answer any questions people may have the best i can.  Thank you again.

Melissa.

Mellisa,

I suffer from depression.  my sister has never been diagnosed, but we all think she is crazy.  When she was 17 her bf was killed in a car accident.  She got appendicitis and tonsilitis and was not able to graduate with her class.  Her first child was stillborn, her marriage was unraveling when she got breast cancer.  So, pick a trigger.  We were also molested by a family member, (her by more than one,).   I have other problems.  (Not as severe.) I hope you find the company here to be wonderful.  You will find really kind, heartfelt, down to earth good people.  I wish you well.  Bobbie

I have found so many wonderul people on this board--it has made a tremendous difference in my life even though I just joined 2 weeks or so ago.  Finally people are treating me as a person, not an object.

Mellisa noone should be treated as an object. We all have something to share with everyone we meet no matter what are adversities are. And noone should be left to offened life alone. Sometimes we feel alone and feel like we are the only person who is not perfect. Please just keep posting and please keep doing what you need to do to get back to where you where mentally. I am sure once they get your meds right and if you read positive books and say some great affirmations about how wonderful you are you will be back to work and kicking your heels up. Sometimes you will need to do this one day at a time or even one minute at a time.

Smile

Sheilah 

OKAY pls everyone let me share my experience as to WHY MY NAME IS LABELFREE!~

So many labels were placed on me and so much therapy  etc...

Besides having an MRI OF A BRAIN to detect Pyschophriania (SP) pls for give my typos  The test will indicate frontal lobes looking like a butterfly.. 

THERE ARE NO OTHER TESTS  genes or other wise to DETECT MENTAL ILLNESS....

All other meetings with therapists  and or doctors are all SUBJECTIVE to the info you provide them in order to deduce a LABEL.....IE  depression # 439715.9 according to the BIBLE HANDBOOK DSM 

The depression and the number are just used as examples.  My husband has this book so if you want me to look up something I will be more than happy to do so for anyone.

DIAGNOSTIC SEVICE MANUAL which they take your label and your number  Your specific illness and BILL INSURANCE companies  for $$$$$$!~  THAT IS ALL..

I have heard of these blood tests  ie for having breast cancer gene or other various other genes to see if you carry a gene for alzhimers etc  BUT NONE that I have come in contact with regarding MENTAL HEALTH except for ALZHIEMERS.

I am not angry as I type this I am upset because it took me 14 years to uncover the truth of this despeptive practices.

xox

Sheilah, thank you.  i will continue to post and all.  I enjoy this board. I do have things to look forward to, things I havent encountered yet mainly.   I am no longer able to work, and it's not because I don't want to--I really honestly cant.  And my psychiatrist said if the symptoms would go away I would give the go ahead for part-time simple job but other than that you cant work -- and he isnt holding me back, don't get me wrong, just when you have constant auditory and visual hallucinations and constant echoes in your ears (although I just woke up so everything is ok for once), -- I cant separate real from not real--I am still re-learning that; because I never told anyone about the voices and stuff for 4 years, certain things are embedded in me that are wrong, and I am resensitizing myself a little at a time to real life again but need to see things sometimes to know if it is real/true or not (I hope this makes sense).  There are other reasons I can't work and right now things are going ok, so we are kind of watching things--meds are a tad unstable but are working the best they can under circumstances given.  I still need another med to slow my mind down a little bit, and will probably get one Friday when I see the psychaitrist.  I am on SSDI to support myself.

To Labelfree--I totally understand what you wrote.  It is hard to believe doctors get paid from putting a label on someone (I'm talkng psychiatry mainly because it isn tfdefnitive like srep throat, ie, would be.).  I don't like being labeled either--it's not fair.

Melissa Great for you to even realize that maybe your meds are not right.I think that is great. Most people would not even be able to tell there meds where not right or that their mind is racing.

Smile

Sheilah

Melissa, You are a brave woman.  What you wrote made sense.  It is just hard to imagine, not being in your shoes.  God bless you for your strength in seeking the help you need.  I am sorry you can't work but I am happy to hear that someone who actually needs it is getting ssdi.  As Sheilah said, we all have our crosses to bear and no one can walk in our shoes.  We can only continue to offer continued support.  We hope you find the right meds for you.  You will be in our thoughts and prayers.  Keep us up to date.  Best of luck, bobbie

Hi Bobbie,

I will keep you up to date--I see the  psychiatrist Friday AM and am hoping for some sort of positive outcome.  Thank you all for you thoughts and prayers.  They are much appreciated.  Thanks for reading what I wrote!

Melissa.

Mellisa just a quick Hi and let you know I am thinking of you. I am very excited to find out what they start friday. remember do what is right for you and try any thing they ask of you. It may take a few times of different meds to get things right but maybe you will be lucky to get things right on the first try.But remember just keep trying and know we are here for you and your big break is just around the corner.You didn't get here in a day and it may take a little time to get back on track.But at least you are at the starting line. Have a great day.

Smile

Sheilah

Hi Sheilah,

I posted a blog about what the surgeon said today--basically a definite hip replacement.  Thank you for thinking of me--that meant a lot to read that.  I see another surgeon this monday the 16th and then surgery end of April/beginning of May.  Tomorrow I have Primary appt, psych appt, interventional radiology appt and the iron infusion.  I'll be home in the afternoon though and will be on the board.  Thanks again for thinking of me.

Melissa.

Melissa,

Just to let you know you are in my thoughts!  You know, doctors don't always get it right the first time and different things work for different people.  Be patient, hang in there, and keep searching until you find the right answer for yourself.  With all the stressors in your life, maybe some of the symptoms of what you consider "mental illness" are just actually symptoms of the stress or depression.  Keep on loving yourself as all of us here love you.  Reach out,  Reach Up, but Don't Give Up!

Peggye  

I had a very active life, but with people who can leave a negativity in your soul.  Then someone else does the same and on and on.  I was 52 years old when I attemped suicide.  Bless the fact that I truely beleive that God is the only reason I'm alive.  After my two attemps that evening,  failure hit me even harder.  I couldn't even do that right.  With great counseling and family support, I am happier than I thought I could ever be.  I know if I could have known more about depression and anxiety my life  wouldn't have spiraled out of control.

SondraG

Sondra,

Mine spiraled out of control like your did, re:suicide attempts when I was 22...lasted 3 years but finally got my act together and it's been 11 years since the last attempt.  Life has gotten better, with ups and downs, but I realized life was too important to leave.  I did have God on my side though because there was a time when I almost didn't make it.  I was lucky, almost lost a kidney, part of my liver, but everything kept  getting better so I didn't have to experience those types of things.  Those days are over though and I'm finally me again!

Melissa.