Electronic Letters to:

PAPERS:
JESSICA L. GARNO, JOSEPH F. GOLDBERG, PAUL MICHAEL RAMIREZ, and BARRY A. RITZLER
Impact of childhood abuse on the clinical course of bipolar disorder
The British Journal of Psychiatry 2005; 186: 121-125 [Abstract] [Full text] [PDF]
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[Read eLetter] Family history of bipolar
Judith A. Lewis   (3 February 2005)

Family history of bipolar 3 February 2005
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Judith A. Lewis,
Retired

Send letter to journal:
Re: Family history of bipolar

judilewis{at}aol.com Judith A. Lewis

Did your study take into consideration the family history of bipolar illness? Studies in the United States have indicated that bipolar disorder is a largely genetically inherited disorder. A child who has one parent with bipolar disorder has a 27% chance of being affected and the possibility jumps to 50-75% when both parents are affected. Might the abuse or neglect be the result of having bipolar parents whose illness leads to inappropriate parenting?