Bipolar Causes & Risk Factors

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by mood changes that include periods of mania and depression. Treatment options are available for addressing causes of bipolar disorder.

Risk Factors

• Bipolar disorder has a genetic basis: a person with one parent with bipolar disorder has a 15 percent to 25 percent chance of developing bipolar disorder. Environmental factors, such as stressful life circumstances and drug abuse, may trigger the onset of bipolar disorder.

Medications

• One cause of bipolar disorder is an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain, including norepinephrine and serotonin. Medications are available for treating this cause of bipolar disorder, including mood stabilizers (i.e. lamotrigine), antipsychotics (i.e. aripiprazole) and antidepressants (i.e. paroxetine).

Psychotherapy

• Psychotherapy can help teach coping mechanisms for handling bipolar disorder and learning lifestyle changes that can minimize the effect of environmental factors that trigger symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Substance Use

• Certain drugs can induce manic episodes, including amphetamines, cocaine, caffeine and over-the-counter weight loss supplements. Limiting caffeine and other stimulant intake may decrease manic symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Misconceptions

• Bipolar disorder is poorly understood by many members of society. Some common misconceptions about bipolar disorder is that it is not a "real illness," it is the result of poor lifestyle choices (i.e. substance use), and that it is based solely on behavior.