Posted by Toph on February 20, 2005, at 7:16:51
In reply to Re: Bad Genes, posted by Waterlily on February 19, 2005, at 20:55:47
> As the daughter of a depressed father who committed suicide, I don't feel any anger toward my dad for passing the gene on to me. I developed major depression after the birth of my second daughter and my oldest daughter has major depression. I feel terribly guilty for passing it on to her, even though when I had her, I had yet to experience major depression myself.
Please tell me Waterlily that had you known of your depression you would not have chosen to never have childen. Your father's gene might have been counteracted by your husband's gene pool as it may have been with your other children. There are always risks of passing on any illness inherited from past generations, for example, my mother had children knowing well that her father died of a heart attack when she was 18 and he 40; she in turn, has hypertension that is now controlled by blood pressure medication not available in the day of my grandfather. Depression, though potentially deadly, is not like inherited illnesses such as Huntington's Disease which is untreatable at this time.
I knew of my bipolar illness after my first born son's birth, but for some reason it never was a consideration in the subsequent birth of my daughter. Perhaps if one of them got sick I would feel guilt as it seems you do about your oldest daughter. Your feelings for her, suggest to me just how much you love her. I bet that because of that love, despite the struggles she shares with you and your father, that when she is effectively treated her exisitance is as much of a blessing for her as it is for you.
Thanks for sharing Waterlily.
Toph
poster:Toph
thread:458299
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/child/20000813/msgs/460729.html