Causes of Bipolar Disorder
The causes for bipolar disorder largely seem to be genetic. There doesn’t seem to be any single gene responsible. (It’s actually really rare for one gene to be responsible for a trait.) Right now we think that there are several genes that all contribute a little bit to a person’s susceptibility to getting bipolar disorder. Studies of twins with the condition strongly reinforce the idea that genetics are behind it. And if you’re a first-generation relative of a person with bipolar disorder, you’re nearly ten times more likely to experience the disorder yourself. (You’re also more likely to experience major depressive disorder.) But don’t worry. While you are more likely to have the condition than average, you can’t forget that this is still a very rare condition to begin with. Most children of parents wtih bipolar disorder don’t develop the condition.
While genetics do play an enormous role in whether you'll get the condition, a person’s environment can play a role in the way they experience it. Just like life events can trigger depression in people who are susceptible to it, people with bipolar disorder may experience depressive or manic episodes as life hands them sources of sadness, stress or anxiety. Abusing drugs or alcohol can make the disorder harder to treat. Finally, research seems to indicate that a lot of people with bipolar disorder experienced traumatic or abusive experiences in childhood. That childhood abuse is associated with earlier onset of the disorder, as well as a higher rate of suicide attempts. Of course, given how little help and information there was around mental health issues, it's hard to say whether the abuse was a cause or an affect of early-onset mental illness. It's possible that it's a result of generations of parents who didn't know what they were dealing with, or how to deal with it. That kind of thing is why mental health education and treatment are so important.
Image: Liane Metzler, via Unsplash.
Did you know...
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- Do you know what the strongest muscle in your body is? No, it’s not your biceps or your thighs. It’s actually in your head. The masseter is a muscle in the jaw that is used when chewing. When all of the muscles of the jaw work together, they can exert a force as strong as 200 pounds on the molars. That’s some serious pressure.
- Need a quick cool down? Try drinking some hot liquid. It's true! As counterintuitive as it may seem, the heat from hot liquids will raise your body temperature. This will heat you up and cause you to sweat. The increased perspiration will wind up helping you feel cooler as it evaporates. Try it out!
- A hearty laugh is good for the heart. Laughing can increase blood flow by 20%. Additionally, looking on the bright side can help you live longer. Studies have shown that a more optimistic outlook is linked to a healthier heart, lower blood pressure, and a lower risk for coronary artery disease.