Husband Newly disagnosed as Bi-polar - I'm making my life changes but now worried about our son

I'm made a choice to leave not becuase of the disease but because of the aggression, arguments, etc.  even when he is medicated.  But now, I am extremely WORRIED about our incredible 5 yr old son!  How genetic has it been proven to be?  I'm not sleeping - as soon as I came through this storm and relaxed, it's like I shot up in one bed one night and thought "Oh my god!  What about Noah!!!!!!

My pediatrician said that it is most likely to skip a generation. I am no expert, but the severity of the symptoms later seems to relate to a degree on the envirinment. At least, as they have said- the abusive side is not necessarily related to the bp. The bp may allow the agression that is already ther to act out more easily. This is my personal theory- I think children with bipolar tendencies who grow up in the home of an untreated bipolar parent who is agressive an erratic are more prone to frustration and severe acting out- one who has been treated kindly and had his symptoms recognized, treated, and explained early on will not have such a hard time. Even "normal" children will develop severe problems when they are brought up in the wrong environment. There seem to be many bp sufferers who have the depression/mania; but they do not act violently. This is only my theory. I developed an eating disorder as a teen from living with my dad, and I believe that a lot of my husband's terrible behavior comes fromhis parents behavior (one was an alcoholic, perhaps self-mdicating bp? who was abusive, and the other was an abusive possible bp as well. All four of their children are above mensa iq geniuses, but have other issues). It is really hard to say if the environment or the chemical make-up is to blame, most likely, of course, both.

My H and therefore our S has BP. Genetic...yep. Skip a generation....nope! But, that does not mean your son will have it. Only time will tell. But seeing a person irresponsible with it will definitely teach the wrong lessons to your child if he does have it. The best thing YOU can do is totally hold your H responsible for his behavior and conduct at all times, BP or not. Otherwise, what is the message to your child, and why should he be responsible should he have it, if his dad didn't have to be. More food for fodder. My S is definitely going to grow into a man who will be far more responsible and open about it than my H, so he should be okay (I pray). LFW

You cannot change his genetics. You have to do the best you can no matter what! At least you will be aware if he does show signs later. As I said, my pediatrician said it usually skips- but it didn't appear to in my husband's family (there seem to be many in each generation with varying degrees), so I assume that it depends on a lot of genetic and environmental variables. Even if he didn't, he could  develop other personality disorders from living with your husband the way he behaves  now. That is how I have to look at it. As you said, not because your H has bp, but the way your husband behaves and treats his bp.