My girlfriend and I both suffer from panic disorder and with genetics playing a large role in having anxiety disorder I find myself becoming hesitant about having children. I sort of feel like I would be condeming my child to unecessary suffering.

I welcome your thoughts.

decker,
i dont think its proven that anxiety is a genetic origin. i do beleive there might be a predesposition to having anxiety, but havent seen any reasearch that it is genetic. You might want to research it yourself. I understand that anxiety disorder is a beahvaoural disorder... Take CareNelly

Hi...my opinion is that anxiety is more of a 'learned' thing, then genetics. If you are working on things for yourself now, you should have no problem educating a 'little one' with respect to living a non-anxious life. I have a 6 year old..I find myself practicing positive 'non anxiety' behavior around him all the time. I am not worried about him contracting anxiety from me at all..in fact, I think he is in a good spot with a parent that understands how to void getting anxiety rooted in your being....just my 2 cents...hope this helps!

I dont think anxiety is something that cvan be contracted. Yes i think that certain personality traits that foster anxiety are passed down but its up to how the behavior is handled that determines whether or not the person actually gets anxiety. I dunno...just my opinion. Im not a doctor

I am convinced anxiety is genetic. My mother has it, her three brothers have it, her father had it, and most if not all of my cousins have it.

HI,
My daughter started to have Panic disorder, but I helped her understand that it was no big deal, we dealt with it, and now very very rarely she will feel anxious, but she doesn't freak out, I would hate to think I never had this wonderful person in my life because of being scared to pass on my anxiety. I actually think that she gave me the biggest reason to stop dwelling on myself and my panic, and to get on with my life.
Cathy

People with anxiety are very caring, sensitive, thoughtful, conscientious, considerate, honest.... need I say more? We're not just about anxiety. It's a crappy condition, but life is still worth living. Besides, just by asking that question you are revealing consideration for unborn children. I'm sure a loving home life would lessen any genetic anxiety they might have. People with anxiety can be wonderful parents.