Bipolar Disorder Risk Factors

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that nearly 6 million people age 18 and older are affected by bipolar disorder in any given year. Bipolar disorder affects all types of people, from children to adults of all races and genders. Yet there are certain factors that can make someone more likely to develop bipolar disorder.

Family History

• Hereditary elements can prove to be a major risk factor in the development of bipolar disorder, although inheritance is not an absolute rule. A Massachusetts Department of Psychiatry study showed that those with a family history of bipolar disorder are six to eight times more likely to develop it than those with no family history. Other statistics show that if an identical twin develops bipolar disorder, the other has a 40 percent chance of developing it as well.

Brain Structure

• Brains of bipolar patients also look different than those undiagnosed. White matter in the brain is responsible for passing on messages from the gray matter to the nervous system. In bipolar disorder patients, lesions tend to show up in the white matter more than in non-diagnosed patients. It is yet to be determined that the lesions actually cause bipolar disorder, but the finding could be a significant indicator.

Gender

• Statistically speaking, both males and females are equally affected by bipolar disorder, but certain subtypes and onset can differ. Onset tends to happen earlier in men than women. Rapid cycling, where the mood changes can happen within days, are more prevalent in women. Substance abuse is significant with bipolar patients as a whole (around 50 percent), but men tend to outnumber women in this respect.

Lifestyle Changes

• Significant lifestyle changes can also trigger bipolar disorder. Taking on high-stress jobs or ones where someone is exposed to constant depression could lend to bipolar disorder onset. Substance abuse of amphetamines could send someone into a manic state, while alcohol abuse could put a person into a depressive state. For those who may be predisposed to bipolar disorders because of hereditary factors, these states could become actual episodes, especially during times of high stress.

Traumatic Event

• A traumatic event such as sexual abuse, child abuse or sudden death in the family can contribute to the onset of bipolar disorder. These events can sometimes lead to a depressive episode for people, which could trigger bipolar disorder, especially if they choose to self-medicate or have no social support.