How likely is it my children will have mental illnesses?

I'm the oldest of three brothers. My middle brother has PDD-NOS and my youngest brother has Asperger's. How likely is it my children could have mental issues of their own being that I don't have any form of mental illness or Autism?How likely is it my children will have mental illnesses?
Well since Autism Spectrum Conditions are not forms of Mental Illness (they're not *mental* at all) I don't see how.

Mental = Psychological = Chemical Imbalance in the Brain = Software
Autism/Asperger's = Neurological = Different Hardwiring of the Brain = Hardware
**These are most definitely not the same thing, have different causation, and one does not cause the other**

There may be a *slightly* increased likelihood of mental illness but the increase is negligible.

Asperger's is by far the most hereditary and genetics based condition on the Autism Spectrum, so your chances are increased. But it's hardly a fait accompli. The Autism Spectrum consists of about 200 or so different conditions -- Asperger's may be a couple of dozen different conditions placed under the one label, out of the tens of thousands of conditions which constitute humanity -- grouped together in much wider categories. All these conditions may have a genetic root similarity, but all 200 are distinct enough to be considered different conditions......some vastly less disabling than others.

For some Asperger's is a disability, for others it's a gift which allows you to rise to the top of your field by doing things no-one else on Earth can. Just depends on the variation. On the whole, I believe, Asperger's leans much closer to gift than it does to disability, for the majority with the condition.




@ Daniel Reyes

While I'm not going to report you, be very careful of the insults you hurl at others on this site. "Insulting other members" is a violation of the Community Guidelines. Keep it up and you risk account suspension or deletion.

I would've prefered to tell you this via email but you blocked me as soon as I dared to give an opinion contrary to yours (when I answered you question "how is Asperger's a gift"?). Believe it or not Daniel your opinion is one of many, and you can't invalidate the opinions of others just because you disagree with them. You prance around this site with a pessimistic, self-centred and childish belief that you are always right regardless of whatever anyone else thinks -- time to drag yourself into the real world. While you are at it, do yourself a favour and go to your doctor to get some treatment for your [obvious] depression.

BTW Daniel; while employed as an advocate, I'm also an Asperger, so don't ever presume to speak for me, or the masses of Aspergians who think very differently to you, while you're on your negativistic crusade. Self-esteem comes from self-respect, you may want to try it some time.



EDIT - OK Daniel, thanks. Good Luck with therapy!
Please be assured Daniel, I believe it was your depressioon speaking here NOT you being an Asperger. Good Luck , My Friend!!

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How likely is it my children will have mental illnesses?
aussie yeah today i went to therapy and my therapist she's very nice, i do have self esteem issues thats why she signed me up for social skills training class, and yeah i think that will help me a lot, sorry for being a jerk
Im sorry but it is highly likely.How likely is it my children will have mental illnesses?
It's a big possibility sees how it runs in your family. But you can't know for sure.
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