Adoption question...

[gracewillcome]

Hi, everyone! Well, I am writing because I was adopted as an infant and never found out anything about my birth parents. Absolutely nothing. No medical information, no traits... I was wondering if anyone has ever wondered if their birth parents had it in their backgrounds, of if having ED gave anyone the motivation to search for answers. I often wonder about this, especially since I've also dealt with things like depression and anxiety. Any thoughts, anyone? Any personal experiences? Anything would be great. Thanks so much!!!

:lubdub Grace

[livingtx]

I'm not adopted, but I do think some of my problems may have origins in genetics. My mom has always been overweight and struggled with her weight (constantly dieting). She did have a sister who drowned when she was eighteen. The sister who died my mom suspected had an eating disorder because she would freak and diet when her weight went above a certain number on the scale (that was in reality quite low). Now, I DO know there is a huge history of depression & anxiety on my mother's side of the family, so some of those issues could be genetic. I was sexually abused by an uncle at a young age; I think that plays most largely on my developing an ED.

[chicagofishy]

I remember someone explained ED genetics to me as... we can have the genetic tendency towards ED, but it's the environment that flips the switch.

I've noticed on both sides of my family we tend towards EDs... and other various compulsions - alcoholism, drug abuse, pathological lying, abuse, sex addiction, etc.

I know for sure it's very human to run to compulsive behaviors in order to escape those things that overwhelm us in our lives or hide from feelings. Maybe genetics just makes us more predisposed to favor one compulsion over another....? They do say the daughters of alcoholic fathers have a very high rate of eating disorders and there have been studies about maybe the alcohol doing something to sperm or something. Who knows. LOL

[gracewillcome]

Hi! Thank you both so much for your replies! They are much appreciated. It is interesting what you both have said... Maybe one day I'll know for sure, eh? Thanks again, livingtx and chicagofishy. :)

[Life For Rent]

Hi there :)

This is an interesting one... I was also adopted as an infant, and have no medical/background information about my birth parents either. I have also gone through problems with depression, which was the first thing that made me question where I might have 'got' it from, if you know what I mean. I know that it has mainly been my environment and experiences growing up that have caused it, but I have wondered whether I have been genetically predisposed to it as well... Also with the eating, although I can also point to other factors, and behaviour patterns that I have learnt from my adoptive parents about food etc. So I don't really know...

I guess it comes down to the whole nature vs. nurture debate... and I'm not sure which one really 'wins out'! I think they're both factors... and as you say, maybe one day we will find out for certain if the 'nature' aspect has had any influence. :)