When you have a bright toddler and a family history of both genius and mental illness.

[Anonymous]

I’m so sorry for your loss, OP. Losing a sibling, and so young, is such a void in your life.

And I hope your BIL is okay.

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to figure out how you can confidently suss this out at 2.5 years old.

And I have an eerily simar background to yours including high IQ scores and a sibling that committed suicide in young adulthood (suspected undiagnosed bipolar).

My kids are bright and darling little gems but I wasn't worried about this at 2.5 and I'm still not worried about it years later. Their advanced reading and math is kind of like a cool party trick. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Anonymous]

Keep your DC off psycho active drugs. In my family several people have developed psychosis, depression and schizophrenia after using drugs - street drugs and prescription. They probably had the genetic predisposition for mental illness and the drug use pulled the trigger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The preschool you select isn’t going to change his chances of developing mental illness unless it’s an abusive atmosphere.

I completely disagree. Preschool choice is vitally important with the child’s personality and intellect in mind.

Montessori or French preschool would have been a mistake for my perfectionist DD. She’s bright and serious. She needed free play and a warm, social atmosphere.

It is not so much the philosophy but the TEACHER who makes the difference!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to figure out how you can confidently suss this out at 2.5 years old.

And I have an eerily simar background to yours including high IQ scores and a sibling that committed suicide in young adulthood (suspected undiagnosed bipolar).

My kids are bright and darling little gems but I wasn't worried about this at 2.5 and I'm still not worried about it years later. Their advanced reading and math is kind of like a cool party trick. Nothing more, nothing less.

“A cool party trick”? That so callous, PP.

And I believe I sussed out the best preschool for my DD’s personality at 2.5.

Some people worry more about genetic illnesses than others. You clearly aren’t in the worrying group. Good for you. Here’s your cookie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to figure out how you can confidently suss this out at 2.5 years old.

And I have an eerily simar background to yours including high IQ scores and a sibling that committed suicide in young adulthood (suspected undiagnosed bipolar).

My kids are bright and darling little gems but I wasn't worried about this at 2.5 and I'm still not worried about it years later. Their advanced reading and math is kind of like a cool party trick. Nothing more, nothing less.

“A cool party trick”? That so callous, PP.

And I believe I sussed out the best preschool for my DD’s personality at 2.5.

Some people worry more about genetic illnesses than others. You clearly aren’t in the worrying group. Good for you. Here’s your cookie.

DP here. Not callous as much as realist and humble. None of which describes you, PP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to figure out how you can confidently suss this out at 2.5 years old.

And I have an eerily simar background to yours including high IQ scores and a sibling that committed suicide in young adulthood (suspected undiagnosed bipolar).

My kids are bright and darling little gems but I wasn't worried about this at 2.5 and I'm still not worried about it years later. Their advanced reading and math is kind of like a cool party trick. Nothing more, nothing less.

“A cool party trick”? That so callous, PP.

And I believe I sussed out the best preschool for my DD’s personality at 2.5.

Some people worry more about genetic illnesses than others. You clearly aren’t in the worrying group. Good for you. Here’s your cookie.

DP here. Not callous as much as realist and humble. None of which describes you, PP

I have no clue where realism or humility come into play here. I don’t have genius genes nor a family history of severe and often fatal mental illness.

The PP’s post dripped narcissism. She doesn’t worry so why should anyone else. I thought it was awful.

If you didn’t - so be it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep your DC off psycho active drugs. In my family several people have developed psychosis, depression and schizophrenia after using drugs - street drugs and prescription. They probably had the genetic predisposition for mental illness and the drug use pulled the trigger.

If you had any idea how much illicit downer use is the result of unmedicated ADHD, you wouldn’t be such an absolutist about it. At any rate, if OP’s kid does at some point need treatment, insisting that drugs can’t be part of it (with a family history of schizophrenia, no less!) is just bad parenting.

[Anonymous]

There are some studies that VitD and choline can help. Possibly sulforaphane as well. Also, marijuana can induce psychosis in those predisposed so have a chat when they are older.

You might want to get some genetic testing (Baylor has a specialty test and so do others). It can offer you peace of mind or time to prepare and guide them as best you can.

I'm in favor of the gifted school as long as they are laid-back and play-based.

[Anonymous]

Oh man I remember these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh man I remember these days.

Days of worry, PP? Did you kids grow up healthy?

[Anonymous]

I have a sibling and cousin with mental illness. It's important to understand this stuff often doesn't manifest until your teens or early 20s. My sister's first severe manic episode occurred when she was in college. However, the sooner you get treated, the better off you are. The medications have also gotten better in recent years. I think everyone should chat with their kids about mental health so they know there's help to be had if this happens.

[Anonymous]

I mean, these are your genes. There is nothing you can do to prevent mental illness. You can talk about it and destigmatize treatments so suicide is less likely, though.

[Anonymous]

Google Brahmi.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, these are your genes. There is nothing you can do to prevent mental illness. You can talk about it and destigmatize treatments so suicide is less likely, though.

As a childfree person with a family history of Personality disorders and schizophrenia, I wonder why you decided to have children? Just seems quite dumb to reproduce knowingly and fret about having a child with mental problems in the future. Not being mean, just saying.