What causes bipolar disorder?

 

Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). The mood episodes you experience and their intensity can vary depending on which type of bipolar disorder you have. The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown. Experts believe there are a number of factors that work together to make a person more likely to develop it. Bipolar Disorder is a brain disorder that causes changes in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. 

People with Bipolar Disorder experience intense emotional states that typically occur during distinct periods of days to weeks, called mood episodes. These mood episodes are categorized as manic/hypomanic (abnormally happy or irritable mood) or depressive (sad mood). People with Bipolar Disorder generally have periods of neutral mood as well. When treated, people with bipolar disorder can lead full and productive lives.

Some causes bipolar disorder

The exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown. Bipolar disorder tends to run in families. If you have an adult relative with either bipolar I or bipolar II disorder, you have an average of 10 times the chance of developing the condition yourself.

Many research has reports that 80 to 90% of people with bipolar disorder have a relative living with either depression or bipolar disorder. Related factors that influence your likelihood of developing bipolar disorder include:

1. Family history of depression
2. Family history of schizophrenia 
3. The number of family members with bipolar disorder or other mood disorders
4. Your relation to those family members
5. Someone whose sibling or parent has bipolar disorder has a greater chance of developing the condition than someone whose cousin, aunt or uncle has it.
6. Childhood trauma

Some experts believe that experiencing a lot of emotional distress as a child can cause bipolar disorder to develop. This could be because childhood trauma and distress can have a big effect on your ability to manage your emotions.

This can include experiences like:

1. Neglect
2. Sexual, physical or emotional abuse
3. Traumatic events
4. Losing someone very close to you, such as a parent or carer

Chemical imbalance in the brain

There is some evidence that bipolar disorder may be associated with chemical imbalances in the brain. The chemicals responsible for controlling the brain's functions are called neurotransmitters, and include noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine.There's some evidence that if there's an imbalance in the levels of 1 or more neurotransmitters, a person may develop some symptoms of bipolar disorder. Researchers links three main neurotransmitters to bipolar disorder:

1. serotonin
2. dopamine
3. norepinephrine

Imbalances of these brain chemicals may prompt manic, depressive, or hypomanic mood episodes. This is particularly the case when environmental triggers or other factors come into play.

Environmental factors.

 Some scientists believe that environmental and lifestyle factors play a role in bipolar disorder. These factors include:

1. Extreme stress
2. Physical or sexual abuse
3. Substance abuse
4. Death of a family member or loved one
5. Physical illness

Ongoing concerns that affect your daily life, such as money or work problems

These situations can trigger symptoms or affect the development of bipolar disorder, especially for people who may already be at a high genetic risk.

Suicide

The risk of suicide is even higher in people with bipolar disorder who have frequent depressive episodes, mixed episodes, a history of alcohol or drug abuse, a family history of suicide, or an early onset of the disease.

Suicide warning signs include:

1. Talking about death, self-harm, or suicide.
2. Feeling hopeless or helpless.
3. Feeling worthless or like a burden to others.
4. Acting recklessly, as if one has a “death wish”.
5. Putting affairs in order or saying goodbye.
6. Seeking out weapons or pills that could be used to commit suicide.

Substance Abuse. 

Avoid drugs and alcohol. Using alcohol or recreational drugs can worsen your symptoms and make them more likely to come back. While substance abuse doesn't cause bipolar disorder, it can bring on an episode or worsen the course of the disease. Drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, and amphetamines can trigger mania, while alcohol and tranquilizers can trigger depression.

Scientists and Doctor don’t yet know the exact cause of bipolar disorder. Scientists and Doctor are currently performing research to determine the relationship that these factors have in bipolar disorder, how they may help prevent its onset and what role they may play in its treatment.