What Causes Bipolar Disorder?

While there is no single cause of the bipolar disorder, there are several environmental factors that trigger it, and these can interact with genetic predispositions. For example, early childhood trauma may have played a role. However, many people with the condition cannot attribute specific past events to the disorder. For this reason, no definitive answer has been reached yet. Here are a few theories to help you better understand this disorder:

Environment

There is considerable research on the possible role of environmental factors in the onset of bipolar disorder. Environmental factors may either trigger the disorder or help it to develop in the first place. In addition to genetics, certain environmental factors are also associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder. The level of association between environmental factors and bipolar disorder varies between individuals. Fortunately, a large body of evidence suggests an association. Listed below are some of the environmental factors known to increase or decrease the risk of bipolar disorder.

Childhood trauma is a major factor in the onset of mood episodes in people with bipolar disorder. In addition, the effects of stress on mood episodes can vary from person to person. A stressful event may occur suddenly or may be triggered by a particular event. Examples of stressful events are death in the family, loss of a job, the birth of a child, moving, or undergoing a major medical procedure. The effects of childhood trauma can be very diverse and cannot be precisely defined.

Genetics

Researchers have identified genetic differences that may be involved in bipolar disorder, a mental illness with familial similarities. Bipolar patients are more likely to carry gene variants that result in abnormally truncated or dysfunctional proteins in their genome. Other genetic variations are associated with a greater risk of schizophrenia, a related but different mental illness. The researchers hope that their findings will lead to more effective treatments for bipolar disorder.

The Mayo Clinic states that physical changes in the brain, an imbalance of brain chemicals, and inherited traits may contribute to the development of the bipolar disorder. Children who have an immediate family member with the disorder have a five to ten percent chance of developing severe forms. Potash and his colleagues studied eight families with a history of bipolar disorder for several generations, examining the DNA of all 36 members. This study provided new insight into how bipolar disorder is passed down through family generations.

Stress

The various sources of stress that can trigger a bipolar disorder episode can combine to create a releasing effect. Stressors can be biological, psychological, or social. Trauma, family stress, or problems at work can trigger mood episodes. Birth complications, depression, or viruses can also trigger them. Sleep deprivation and imbalances of brain chemicals can also contribute. Premenstrual syndrome, for example, is associated with increased depressive episodes among women.

One study examined the relationship between chronic stress and mood symptoms among 38 adolescents. Researchers examined whether higher levels of chronic stress were associated with less symptom improvement. The findings varied by age, gender, and illness subtype. They also considered whether chronic life stress and episodic stress affected the severity of mood symptoms. The results of this study are inconclusive but suggest that chronic stress may be a contributor to the severity of mood symptoms in bipolar youth.

Family history

In a recent study, researchers looked at the genetics of people with bipolar disorder and their immediate family members. They asked whether any first-degree relatives had bipolar disorder, depression, alcohol abuse, or committed suicide. People with a family history of bipolar disorder had an increased risk of developing the disorder when one or more of their first-degree relatives were diagnosed with the disorder. These findings suggest that family history is an important factor in determining the risk for a patient.

Although there are numerous risk factors for developing bipolar disorder, family history is a particularly strong predictor. The only other known predictor for suicide among people with this disorder is a family history of depression. Symptom-related factors include early onset of depressive symptoms and subsyndromal hypo/manic symptoms. For this reason, a family history of bipolar disorder should be considered when assessing a patient with a known family history of the condition.

Stress during pregnancy

Pregnant women suffering from bipolar disorder must prepare for motherhood well in advance. The pregnancy itself needs special preparation on both a physical and mental level. Many women with this condition delay having children for various reasons, including illness or instability. These delays can cause a lot of stress. Here are some ways to help prepare yourself and your baby for motherhood. 1. Learn how to cope with stress during pregnancy. Make sure that you're comfortable with your changing moods and body temperature.

During pregnancy, mothers may experience heightened levels of certain hormones that affect their ability to fight off disease. Although these hormones do not appear to be specific to bipolar disorder, it is possible that they can affect their offspring's immune system. There are several studies pointing to a link between maternal immune activation and the development of mood disorders in offspring. However, a causal relationship has not been established.

Environmental factors

The role of environmental factors in the development of the bipolar disorder is still not fully understood. Although environmental factors are known to influence the onset of psychiatric disorders, it is still not clear whether they can predict or prevent the development of the disorder. However, the available body of evidence suggests that environmental factors are related to the occurrence of bipolar disorder. Here we review the relationship between environmental factors and the development of the bipolar disorder.

Early childhood trauma may be a significant trigger for the onset of bipolar disorder and its clinical course. Bipolar patients with a history of trauma are more likely to have rapid-cycling episodes, psychotic features, and substance abuse. Although emotional abuse is often ignored in the literature, it is one of the most prevalent forms of adverse childhood experiences. Although findings on molecular biology are inconsistent, it appears that social support may influence the course of bipolar disorder. Low social support has been linked to increased relapses of symptoms.