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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by All Done on February 23, 2004, at 12:23:29
Several of us have parents with mental illness and are suffering first hand the effects of growing up with that. When we have our own children, there is sometimes concern that we will pass this suffering on.
In your experience with children, do you find that more of their problems stem from genetic makeup or environmental factors? What differences do you see in the problems that result from genetics vs. environment?
Obviously, we cannot change the genetic makeup of our children. So, in addition to ending the severely abusive patterns that occurred in some families, what are the most important things, in your opinion, that we can do or change to allow our children to have the best chance at avoiding the painful roads we have traveled?
I appreciate your taking the time to respond to this and all of our other posts.
And of course, input from other Babblers is always welcomed, as well.
Thanks,
All Done
Posted by 64Bowtie on February 24, 2004, at 22:01:06
In reply to Erika Schmidt, LCSW - thoughts on children, posted by All Done on February 23, 2004, at 12:23:29
> Obviously, we cannot change the genetic makeup of our children.Perhaps this is a new frontier. Those 70% of the spiral helix assumed to be meaningless till recently, has come alive. They are responsible for "process". Part of "process" is timing. There are certain markers that seem to move and change implying they are some sort of "genetic alarm clock". All you have to think of is the onset of pubic hair to see what I am alluding to.
If parents do their job, kids can be healthy and without stress such that whatever the "genetic clock" is alarming at can be fulfilled. Unhealthy children because of an unhealthy and dysfunctional situation will miss the signal(s) and further be messed up along the way. Also, parents can stunt or enhance a childs normal growth by varying their diet.
So, in a sense, parents can alter genetics, in negative ways at least.
Posted by Dr. Bob on February 25, 2004, at 2:27:00
In reply to Erika Schmidt, LCSW - thoughts on children, posted by All Done on February 23, 2004, at 12:23:29
The interaction between genetic factors and environmental factors is not easy (or possible?) to disentangle. The genetic factors in many forms of mental illness are less straightforward than the neurological factors that underlie, for example, learning disabilities. So there may be a predisposition to mental illness that may be triggered by environmental factors or experiences, but the cause and effect are not so direct. Sometimes it's helpful to think in terms of risk factors (like genetic factors or traumatic experience) and protective factors (like family security); obviously you want the protective factors to be stronger than the risk factors.
In terms of making things better for one's own children, I think the most important thing is to offer them a loving, nurturing, protecting, stable, secure parental relationship that permits their growth and development to unfold. As you note, that involves changing abusive patterns. Remaining aware or and in touch with your own past painful experiences is also important because it means you haven't shut down emotionally and have an active awareness of what you don't want to have happen. A positive relationship is the best insurance you can offer.
Erika Schmidt, LCSW
Posted by All Done on February 25, 2004, at 22:51:08
In reply to from Ms. Schmidt: thoughts on children, posted by Dr. Bob on February 25, 2004, at 2:27:00
Dr. Bob,
Please extend my appreciation to Ms. Schmidt for her response to my question as well as all of the other questions that have been posted. It has been quite interesting and informative to read her replies. For arranging and facilitating a guest speaker for us, I thank you as well.
All Done
Posted by All Done on February 25, 2004, at 23:40:57
In reply to Re: ...more thoughts on children » All Done, posted by 64Bowtie on February 24, 2004, at 22:01:06
> If parents do their job, kids can be healthy and without stress such that whatever the "genetic clock" is alarming at can be fulfilled. Unhealthy children because of an unhealthy and dysfunctional situation will miss the signal(s) and further be messed up along the way. Also, parents can stunt or enhance a childs normal growth by varying their diet.
>
> So, in a sense, parents can alter genetics, in negative ways at least.Bowtie (or do you prefer 64? :)),
Sounds to me like you think parents can alter genetics in both negative *and* positive ways? If that's the case, I see what you're saying and it's even more reason for me to be concerned about what I can do to give my son a better chance at good mental health.
All Done
Posted by 64Bowtie on February 29, 2004, at 12:33:16
In reply to Re: ...more thoughts on children » 64Bowtie, posted by All Done on February 25, 2004, at 23:40:57
>
> Bowtie (or do you prefer 64? :)),<<<Call me Rod, \:^) 64Bowtie refers to my 1964 Chevy Pick-Up that I've owned for 30 years. The Chevy emblem is a bowtie.
>
> Sounds to me like you think parents can alter genetics in both negative *and* positive ways? If that's the case, I see what you're saying and it's even more reason for me to be concerned about what I can do to give my son a better chance at good mental health.<<<Environment appearantly can impact the timing of the genetics. If I pay attention to the duration as the change unfolds, I suppose I can have some impact on inevitability. Genetic changes are mostly subtle. A blood test won't earmark an onset of change. Evidence is more dramatic 6 mo after it happens.
Rod
This is the end of the thread.
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