Should i have my kids tested? from what i understand my kids fathers side has a history of mental illness for instance bipolar, this was then passed to him. (im assuming its genetic) should i have my kids tested? my daughter is 7 and and my son is 8. or c

Bipolar : Bipolar disorder is an illness where people can have severe "mood swings" between mania and depression. It is seen more commonly in people whose family members also suffer from bipolar disorder. It typically starts between ages 15-25 and affects men and women equally. If your children aren't having any current behavioral problems (and that's good!), then there is no way to test them. Below i attached a website with information on bipolar disorder from the national institute for health. If you have any additional questions, ask your children's doctor.

If one parent has : Bipolar disorder, each child has a 20% chance of having it, unless it has been inherited in the family in an autosomal dominant pattern, in which case each child has a 50% chance. Genetic testing is not yet available for clinical use, just for research. About 50% of children with prepubertal onset of symptoms also have adhd, & about 25% of adolescents with onset of symptoms after puberty.

It's worth trying to: Get a 3- generation family history. Usually, if one parent has bipolar disorder, each child has a 20% chance of having it, but in some families it's autosomal dominant, with a 50% chance for each child. I know it feels like sitting on a powder keg, but try not to be hyper-vigilant. 50% of kids with juvenile-onset bpd also have adhd, so family history is important if the issue should arise.