what is the chance our daughter will have a mental illness?

[justme1119]

well her mom has a severe form of paranoid schizophrenia. I battle depression not really sure that's genetic though for either of us. Her mom is a drug addict so I could imagine environmental. Mine stems from a lot familial issues mainly. I allso have struggled with substance abuse with smoking and drinking since I was 9. So what are the chances our daughter will have some sort of mental illness jw?

[escape_thereal_world]

Since you aren't sure if your depression is caused by genetics, then I can't tell you from that.

However, the mother has Schizophrenia, which is thought to be genetic as well as due to life events.

It's possible your daughter will have a mental illness, but even if that happens, the right support system and help can keep depression or schizo from getting too bad.

Basically, there is no way to determine how likely it is, but it is possible.

[Iris. ♥]

The only way to know what the percentages are is to visit a genetic counselor, which is extremely pricy. Schizophrenia is thought to be a genetic disease, depression is in some cases. So, there is a chance that your daughter will have a mental illness. But, only a professional can tell you how great that chance is. Even if you do not visit the genetic counselor, you can find support systems for your daughter, if she does turn out to have a mental illness. Don't worry about it too much -- I'm sure you'll be a great dad, no matter what the outcome.

[justme1119]

she doesn't have that much money my family was sexually and physically abusive and I did drugs so long it's susceptibility despite envirnoment rigt? And can schizophrenia be caused by the environment?

[LeapOfFayth]

Its believed that the gene for schizophrenia is genetic, but having the gene doesn't mean you have schizophrenia. It means she'll be susceptible to it, so in times of great stress or drug abuse she may develop the disorder.
However its also possible she may have depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, as these two disorders are also common among relatives of individuals with schzophrenia. I've read on a couple sites that doctors believe its the same group of genes that cause this group of disorders.

[escape_thereal_world]

Depression can be environmental and/or genetic. It kind of just depends. Basically, if you can't get out of the depression after things are calm or life is good, etc, then it's likely chemicals in your brain which is genetic. In simple terms :P

And for the schizophrenia, Rick phrased it quite well.

[justme1119]

makes sense to me
I'm not always depressed only in stressful situations.