What Are the Causes of Bipolar Episodes?

Bipolar disorder is a mental disease in which a person's mood shifts erratically from excessive activity and optimism to depression and lethargy, thus another term used for the disorder is manic-depression. The disease causes severe problems in handling relationships, work and can even lead to life-threatening conditions such as anorexia or even suicide. It's important for patients to manage the condition and avoid triggers for either manic or depressive episodes as much as possible.

Genetic Causes

• Bipolar episodes occur when the brain's chemical balance becomes erratic. The specific reason for this is still not well understood but the disease does seem to have a genetic component, with the tendency for bipolar episodes to occur in families. The majority of people develop symptoms by late adolescence or early adulthood. Some, however, begin having symptoms as children and some not until middle age or beyond. The condition affects both men and women.

Types of Episodes

• The two bipolar episodes are mainly Manic, which is the overly excited stage and Depressive, which is the pessimistic, depressed stage. Sometimes the two stages are Mixed in which the excited stage is also accompanied by a depression. A mild form of the Manic stage is called Hypomanic.

Alcohol and Drugs

• The person with Bipolar disease should avoid drinking alcoholic beverages or taking any drugs not prescribed by their physician. The changes alcohol and drugs make in brain chemistry can trigger serious episodes. For example, tranquilizers could steer the Bipolar person toward depression, while amphetamines could lead to a hyper state.

Medications

• Certain prescription medications are designed to help people with Bipolar disease, but they can also trigger episodes when they are changed, begun, or suddenly stopped. In fact, a medication designed to help one phase of the disorder, for example an anti-depressant for the depressed episode could swing the balance back too far leading to mania. Even some common medications sold over-the-counter such as those containing caffeine or corticosteroids can trigger mania. It's vital that medications be well monitored.

Lack of Sleep

• Poor sleeping habits can cause the Bipolar person to swing from one to another episode. Sleep is essential and lack of sleep in particular can result in mania. Changes in sleep habits resulting from trips, a new job, or family changes can trigger episodes.

Stress

• Stress itself does not cause Bipolar disease but stressful situations can trigger episodes. While no one can avoid stress entirely, people with Bipolar disease need to learn what triggers their episodes. By monitoring and reducing stress before it becomes overwhelming, they may be able to lessen the impact before it leads to an episode of mania or depression.

Seasonal Episodes

• The season of the year appears to affect many people with Bipolar disorder. Episodes of mania are more prevalent in the summer while depression occurs more often in the winter.