schizophrenia

[gingerpig]

I'm having a couple of thoughts regarding schizophrenia and having children. I will keep it brief as I'm on my phone.

I have a brother who is diagnosed with acute paranoid schizophrenia and has been in hospital for 23 years. he is very ill.

my DP has a brother who is also diagnosed with schizophrenia. I don't know the details of his diagnosis, but he able to look after himself to some small degree and is currently is a halfway house of sorts.

so. would my DP and I be taking a huge gamble by having kids? I'm scared that with both of us having first degree relatives with schizophrenia that we are upping the stakes massively.

does anyone have any knowledge in this area?

schizophrenia like all mental illness has varying degree impact
for some it is managed adequately with meeds
for some it has greater impact and can be detrimental
big challenge will be societal stigma

the likelihood of schizophrenia is increased if a parent had schizophrenia, reported to be 1 in 10 chance of developing schizophrenia. however please do go see your dp consultant, I'd recommend you and dp book appt with his psychiatrist, discuss concerns. get face to face discussion

and I hope you get satisfactory answers

thanks scottishmummy, I would quite like to speak to someone. I get a bit scared about it all

oh gosh,yes I appreciate you must be racing with what ifs
do make appt see dp psychiatrist, attend meetings about your dp

this is about getting good reliable info and support, weigh up pro and cons
as you would considering planning family with any other familial history of any other illness