5 Risk Factors That Influence the Development of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a multifactorial disease with episodes of severe mood changes that lead to difficulties with day-to-day functioning. Data shows that around 2.6 percent US adults suffer from this condition. Bipolar disorder is a lifelong disease and one of the leading causes of premature death due to suicide in untreated people, but if a person follows a treatment plan that includes medications and therapy sessions as recommended by a professional, their moods can be stable and they can lead a normal life. This is why it’s important to know and detect the risk factors that may contribute to the development of bipolar disorder as soon as possible.

The most common risk factors for bipolar disorder

Scientists have determined that there is no single cause of bipolar disorder, but rather a few factors that work together and contribute to its development:

• Genetic predisposition
• Hormonal imbalance
• Specific brain structure
• Stressful or traumatic events
• Abuse of alcohol and drugs

1. Genetics

Most relatives of a person living with bipolar disorder won’t develop the disease, but if one of your parents has this condition, it’s more likely that you will develop it when compared to someone whose great uncle has it. Science has yet to find the exact genes responsible and the manner in which they lead to bipolar disorder, but it’s definitely a highly heritable illness.

Although genetic predisposition is one of the leading factors that influence the development of bipolar disorder, psychological and environmental factors play an important role as triggers as well.

2. Hormones

Unhealthy hormone levels can be a cause of extreme mood changes. Bipolar disorder is a lot harder to manage if a person suffers from hormonal imbalances. Researchers have found that poor life quality and depression are twice as common in bipolar patients with increased levels of the primary stress hormone cortisol.

It appears that the levels of the primary female sex hormone estrogen may impact the development and severity of bipolar disorder as well, especially after childbirth, when there’s a steep fall in its levels. The role of estrogen in the development of bipolar disorder is still not fully clear, but it is probably why women experience mixed mania, depressive episodes, as well as episodes of rapid cycling more commonly than men. Bipolar II type is also more common in women, as well as many comorbidities of psychiatric and medical conditions.

3. Brain structure

Brains of those with mental disorders are “wired” differently than healthy brains, according to positron emission technology (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans, but more research is needed to definitely link these findings with bipolar disorder.

Researchers are using MRI scans to watch brain activity during manic and depressive episodes in bipolar patients. They found that visual processing is disrupted during these episodes. According to a few large MRI studies, those with bipolar disorder have differences in the areas of the brain that control inhibition and emotions.

4. Stress or trauma

Bipolar disorder is an illness with recurring episodes of mania and depression. Environmental factors such as stress or major lifestyle changes can trigger the onset of these episodes, according to studies. Stressful events like moving to a new neighborhood, losing a job, and even bad sleeping habits can all play a role in the development of bipolar disorder.

5. Drugs and alcohol

Alcohol and drug abuse is a common trigger for hypomanic, manic, and depressive episodes thanks to specific neurological mechanisms. Unfortunately, bipolar disorder and alcohol or drug abuse often go hand in hand – around 60 percent of bipolar patients go through episodes of substance abuse.

Research suggests that bipolar disorder and alcohol withdrawal share similar symptoms because they both affect the same neurotransmitters in the brain. This may be why each condition triggers the symptoms of the other.

The bottom line

More research is required to determine the specific causes and risk factors for bipolar disorder. Consider notifying your doctor about your family’s history, especially if there’s history of a mental disorder involved. Stress can trigger bipolar disorder as well, so if life feels overwhelming, make sure to discuss those feelings with a professional. It could be just a sign to slow down, but it can also be a part of a bigger problem called bipolar disorder.