No. 39; Updated May 2015
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Mental illnesses in parents represent a risk for children in the family. These children have a higher risk for developing mental illnesses than other children. When both parents are mentally ill, the chance is even greater that the child might become mentally ill.
The risk is particularly strong when a parent has one or more of the following: bipolar disorder, an anxiety disorder, ADHD, schizophrenia, an alcohol or drug use disorder, or depression. These disorders can be inherited from parents through genes.
An inconsistent, unpredictable family environment also contributes to psychiatric illness in children. Mental illness of a parent can put stress on the marriage and affect the parenting abilities of the couple, which in turn can harm the child.
It is important for parents to get treatment. Research shows that when parents affected by mental illness get well with effective psychotherapy or medication, their children’s symptoms improve.
Other protective factors that can decrease the risk to children include:
- Knowledge that their parent is ill and that they are not to blame
- Help and support from family members
- A stable home environment
- Psychotherapy for the child and the parent(s)
- A sense of being loved by the ill parent
- A naturally stable personality in the child
- Positive self esteem
- Inner strength and good coping skills in the child
- A strong relationship with a healthy adult
- Friendships and positive peer relationships
- Interest in and success at school
- Healthy interests outside the home for the child
- Help from outside the family to improve the family environment (for example, marital psychotherapy or parenting classes)
Medical, mental health, and social service professionals working with mentally ill adults need to inquire about their children, especially about their mental health and emotional development. If there are serious concerns or questions about a child, it may be helpful to have an evaluation by a qualified mental health professional.
Individual or family psychiatric treatment can help a child toward healthy development, despite the presence of parental psychiatric illness. A child and adolescent psychiatrist can help the family work with the positive elements in the home and the natural strengths of the child. With treatment, the family can learn ways to lessen the effects of the parent's mental illness on the child.
Unfortunately, families, professionals, and society often pay more attention to the mentally ill parent, and may overlook the children in the family. Providing more attention and support to the children of a psychiatrically ill parent is an important consideration when treating the parent.
For additional information see Facts for Families:
#24 When to Seek Help for Your Child
#25 Where to Seek Help for Your Child
#52 Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation
See also: Your Child (1998 Harper Collins) / Your Adolescent (1999 Harper Collins)
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