Causes of Bipolar Disorder

Just like depression and many other forms of psychological disorders, no one single cause can be associated to the occurrence of bipolar disorders. Several factors play a part in causing this problem. In fact, in most cases, a number of coexisting factors come together to as causes of bipolar disorder in patients. Environmental, neurochemical as well as genetic factors come into play at several levels to cause bipolar disorder effects and types of stress. According to current beliefs, bipolar disorders are caused primarily by neurotransmitter malfunction in the brain as it exists in the form of a biological disorder that may lie dormant in the patient for years together. A stressor may be responsible for activating it spontaneously at any point. The following are primary causes of bipolar disorder.

Bipolar Disorder Hereditary

Bipolar disorder can be genetic in nature meaning that it may run in the family. So, an individual whose parent suffered from bipolar disorder has a 15-20% chance of suffering from the same. Similarly, occurrence of the disorder is also seen quite often in identical twins.

As mentioned earlier, causes of bipolar disorder are also usually physiological in nature and try to reduce stress. The disorder is brought about by the dysfunction of a particular part of the brain that handles neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine and their inactivity or hyperactivity may be responsible for several bipolar disorder effects.

Environmental Factors and Bipolar Disorder

Environmental factors may also be responsible for the onset of bipolar disorder. An individual with a genetic or biological predisposition towards bipolar disorder may suffer from the disorder once an external event triggers it. Even factors such as alcohol or drug abuse, improper use of medication and hormonal problems can be responsible to trigger off bipolar disorder. Although many substances accelerating bipolar disorders may be detrimental to the patient, they are not directly responsible for causing the disorder. They only catalyse the disorder.

Symptoms And Signs Of Bipolar Disorder

Most Bipolar disorder signs and symptoms are all to do with the symptoms of depression and mania. To begin with, the following are the depression related symptoms experienced by patients of bipolar disorders.

– Feelings of sadness, hopelessness and sadness are quite normal with most bipolar patients.

– High levels of irritability are also quite normal with most patients of bipolar disorders.

– Loss of energy, fatigue and a complete lack of motivation often plague these patients.

– Problems with appetite, concentration, attention levels etc. are also very frequent during depressive phases of bipolar disorder. Suicidal tendencies are also not unusual with patients of bipolar disorders.

In addition, bipolar disorder patients also suffer from manic thoughts and moods which may include the following thought patterns:

– Feeling overly happy, high and optimistic with an unrealistically positive vision of one’s abilities and talents.

– The patient often requires low amounts of sleep and experiences no fatigue in the process.

– Individuals suffering from mania often talk very rapidly and often race through thoughts.

– These patients also tend to act in a reckless fashion without worrying much about the consequences. In most severe cases, hallucinations and delusions are also quite common.