Posted by Dr. Bob on March 25, 2000, at 15:01:06
In reply to Re: Grand Rounds Online: Inheritance and Alcoholism, posted by grace ball on March 25, 2000, at 8:52:27
> I guess what I would ask if is, is the bipolar inherited and the drinking learned behavior? is the drinking inherited too and do all bipolar people use this as a crutch to deal with the pain until they can find good medical treatment?
Good question. It could seem as if drinking were inherited, but it could just be a learned response to something else that was in fact inherited.
People with bipolar disorder have different ways of dealing with their pain. By no means do all of them drink.
> What I do know is that I hated my grandmother actions and what she put us through as a family that I swore I could never do that to my family. When I started with the symptoms I ran fast so I would not have to live as she did. She has been gone for 25 years now. The treatment for bipolar or alcoholism was not as well known as it is now. If it was she may have lived a happier pain free life.
I'm glad that more treatments are available now -- and that you've taken advantage of them and spared your family what you went though yourself. Best wishes,
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:27935
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000321/msgs/28151.html