@ PJM & CHCB
I do think there is a hereditory element to mental illness. Be it genetic or learned, or perhaps a combination of the two. My father has been a depressive as long as I've known him, as was his mother (she was so bad she was prescribed Lithium).
That's why I stopped at Sweary Junior. Having been a depressive since childhood, my post-natal depression fucked off the scale completely. My boy has seen me rocking on the floor in the foetal position when he was 4 or 5 years old. I know I've inflicted irreparable damage in his early years.
Apart from not being physically capable of another pregnancy (likely I'd end up in wheelchair) no way would I consider putting the whole family through the same turmoil/distress.

Despite this ^ SJ is now a well adjusted sociable and compassionate young chap - he has more empathy in his little finger than the majority of adults I've come across. Thanks to effective medication, much therapy and a loving, patient, supportive DG, I've been mostly stable these last few years.

Hooray for SSRIs!
Hooray for DG!
( Tourette's ( . )( . ) has a monkey hair in her fried egg, Wed 23 Apr 2008, 18:09, Reply)