Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia and Genetics – Wednesday March 9th
Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia and Genetics – Wednesday March 9th
I saw an article last night regarding the above disorders and thought I would write some of my views.
It’s been many years since I looked up any medical articles and case histories. One of the last cases I looked at was in relation to a young fellow with the Rett Syndrome mecp2 error but presenting with schizophrenia or features of. It’s important to note that at that age the affect of some mecp2 errors are still very flexible and his problems could have improved or sadly, possibly worsened. (Hopefully the former and he is having a happy healthy life). This was very rare at that time and probably still is, schizophrenia hadnt really come up in Rett Syndrome previously.
Some would ask was his symptoms related to,or separate from the mecp2 error? And I would have to say related, but I would also have to say he has some unusual things going on genetically. I would also be looking for some typical issues related to mecp2 errors also for him.(Possibly mild)
When people have these developmental conditions such as schizophrenia with no other medical issues of any kind, also seen in other family members who also present with no other medical issues the quantity of actual genetic issue can be surprisingly small. The same issue in another part of the genome could show no effect but in such an important part of the genome, its life altering. Then of course you can have a group of people with the exact same genetic issue and none will be affected the same.
Which is largely due to people each having their own unique genetic code. We are different shapes and sizes, as children we attain milestones and there is a general timeline in which we usually reach them but our genes also determine the speed of our development and the order in which we reach them. When we pass away, just as our organs shut down, our faculties do so as well and it’s my view that they shut down in the exact reverse order in which they developed. The visual of a tall buildings’ lights turning off comes to mind.
Whether you’re a boy or girl for instance has a significant role in childhood developmental disorders but I mention the faculty sequence (development/ shutdown) pathway because my work indicates this too is having a significant role.
I know it’s morbid but that’s how we form and it’s best to digest the concept and think of it as a natural course that we all have. The really awful thing is any child going through their development with a disorder is very unfair and harsh and of course hard for the whole family.
Fiona MacLeod (C)
