Bipolar Program
Overview
Many family physicians are experiencing an increase in patients asking for information regarding psychiatric disorders. Often these patients are concerned about the risks to themselves or their children based on family history.
Questions you may have seen in your office include:
- My uncle had schizophrenia. What are the chances my baby will develop this illness?
- I have major depression, how will pregnancy affect the treatment of my illness?
- What medications are safe to take during pregnancy?
- How will pregnancy and the period right after delivery affect other aspects of the my treatment?
- Are there any tests I can take to see if I have a mood disorder?
- My brother has bipolar disorder. Am I at risk?
Good risk assessment and genetic counseling will help ensure that the person with a mood disorder considers all relevant issues before arriving at a decision about becoming a parent.
Bipolar disorder is prevalent and debilitating, and research has shown that it has a significant genetic component. Despite its familial association, bipolar disorder is often overlooked or unexplored in family histories. This program will help you identify patients whose family history puts them at increased risk for bipolar and other mood disorders and will help you interpret available recurrence risk data for these patients.