Bipolar Disorder: What Causes it?

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By Rebecca Palmquist

There isn’t one specific cause of bipolar disorder that has yet been identified. Genetic predispositions, biological factors, and stress indicators all seem to contribute. Apparently there is no clear formula for anticipating its onset, but there are definitely some cues to be aware of when considering the possibility. Symptoms are the best way to assess for the disorder being in force.

Genetic vulnerability

Some of the stats on genetic vulnerability say that if you have a parent with bipolar disorder, then you have an 8% chance of getting it too. If your parent has bipolar, you may also have a 12% chance of getting unipolar depression, which is depression without the mania.

My children have two parents with bipolar and are not yet, as young adults, manifesting symptoms. Even with both parents ill, they may have both missed the genes. However, we have discussed the possibility of one of their children, when they have them, having the disorder, even if they don’t.

Brain chemistry

Biologically, there is the factor of brain chemistry. There is the chance that imbalances in that chemistry might lead to high moods or low moods. If there is an inability for the chemistry to function as needed, the bipolar patient may need medication to manage those chemicals.

Stressful life events

Then, of course, there is stress, as a large part of the mix. It can trigger the first bout of mood swings and continue to be a trigger as time passes. Different stresses can trigger different people. Bereavement, family conflicts, employment difficulties and more can all be stressors that cause mood swings. The stress doesn’t have to be negative either. Getting married, moving, a new job, having children and many other things can initiate mood changes.

By using good coping mechanisms for stress, the disorder can often be managed, and perhaps even avoided to begin with. Even someone who has a genetic predisposition to diabetes might not get it if proper care and preventative measures are in place. The same may be true with bipolar disorder, even with the genetic markers in place and/or the brain chemistry leaning toward bipolar.

Risk factors

This, of course, means that it’s crucial to identify protective and risk factors. Risk factors may or may not be controllable. They are things that increase the chances of becoming ill.

In the case of bipolar, some of the main risk factors can be non-compliance with medications, alcohol abuse, illicit or prescription drug abuse, symptoms that are not severe enough to be recognized for diagnosis, an irregular lifestyle including your daily schedule, poor social support, and inappropriate coping strategies.

Protective factors

On the positive side, while there are risk factors, there are also protective factors. These can lessen the chances of mood swings, or possibly help people to avoid bipolar altogether.

Protective factors are naturally the opposite of the risk factors. Compliance with medicines, regular and balanced lifestyle choices, good social support, and appropriate coping skills are all protective factors that help keep people stable.

Different cycles

The ratio of manic episodes to depressive episodes and their frequency vary from patient to patient. Some patients have long periods of normal moods in between the mood swings, and others may not. Most people with bipolar will definitely experience repeated manic and/or depressive episodes in their lifetimes. Some patients experience a rapid cycling pattern of mood swings as many or more than four times in a year. Others only experience a few episodes in a lifetime.

Whatever pattern a patient experiences, it is important that they learn their protective factors and do their best to avoid mood swings as much as possible. For a person with bipolar, any change in mood can put them at risk of hospitalization or worse.

Reproduced with permission, originally posted on bipoluv.com