Bipolar Disorder Causes & Risk Factors

Recent studies have found that childhood trauma does not directly cause—but does hasten—the onset and severity of bipolar disorder. Children who had been abused were more likely to have early onset, in adolescence or earlier. Full Answer

To protect yourself from a bipolar mood swing, it is important that you recognize the early warning signs of episodes of depression, hypomania, or mania. This allows you to consult with your doctor about how best to stabilize your mood. You can also... Full Answer

Family history, certain lifestyle choices, and comorbid conditions may increase your risk for developing bipolar disorder. For example, if you are between 15 and 30 years old and you have a sibling or parent who is bipolar, you are more at risk.... Full Answer

Experts aren’t sure what specifically causes bipolar disorder. We know that genetics plays a large role in the illness because you are more likely to “be bipolar” if a parent or sibling has bipolar disorder. Also, researchers believe... Full Answer

Scientists have found a higher occurrence of bipolar disorder in relatives of others with bipolar disorder. This has led to a search for a bipolar disorder gene. There does, however, seem to be other factors at play because identical twins do not always... Full Answer

Some researchers have linked bipolar disorder to abnormal levels of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) in the body. Nerve cells in the body communicate through neurotransmitters. With bipolar disorder, there may be abnormal levels of serotonin,... Full Answer

Because bipolar disorder tends to run in families, researchers are looking for genetic markers for the disease, but no one gene has yet been found to be the culprit. Twin studies have shown that several genes and other factors combine to trigger onset of... Full Answer

If your partner has bipolar disorder, an important topic for you to discuss with your partner and your other family members is the genetic risk your children have of developing bipolar disorder. When one parent has bipolar disorder, there is a 15... Full Answer

If you have a sibling with bipolar disorder, you may have an increased chance of getting bipolar disorder when compared to someone who does not have a genetic link to bipolar disorder. Studies show that if you have a sibling (or parent) with bipolar... Full Answer

If one of your parents has bipolar disorder, you have a higher risk of getting this mood disorder than someone whose parent does not have bipolar disorder. Researchers have been conducting genetic studies on families with bipolar disorder for years.... Full Answer