Environmental Influences on Bipolar Disorder

Being diagnosed with bipolar disorder could mean a lifetime of management by the patient and close family members. That involves following any medication requirement and attending counseling sessions. Although an exact cause has not been targeted, it is widely accepted by many professionals that there are environmental influences on the bipolar disorder.

Seasons

• A diagnosis of bipolar disorder is sometimes accompanied by seasonal affective disorder (SAD). With SAD, the natural seasons and length of exposure to sunlight can affect a person's mood. According to a Bipolar World Net report, hypomania is typically experienced in the spring, while depressive moods happen during the fall.

Daily Stress

• Environmental factors such as daily stressors can trigger bipolar disorder in a patient if it hasn't already been diagnosed. Living in an abusive relationship, looming social pressures or consistent life-changing events like having children can contribute to the stress of managing a bipolar diagnosis. For someone in a manic episode, these stressors could exacerbate sleep problems and worsen agitation. For a patient in a depressive episode, the feelings of worthlessness and inability could creep up if the daily life requirements become overwhelming.

Traumatic Events

• A traumatic event can be tough on anyone but can be especially detrimental to someone with bipolar disorder. A death in the family or job loss can make a patient in a depressive episode spiral even further into depression. These episodes can last for weeks; in Bipolar Disorder II patients, depression is more chronic and lasts longer than Bipolar Disorder II patients. Symptoms such as trouble sleeping or too much sleep, unexplained physical pains and suicidal thoughts can become more intense following a traumatic event.

Substance Abuse

• Substance abuse is very prevalent with bipolar disorder patients. A study by Dr. Marcia Verdulin stated that 60 percent of patients diagnosed with biopolar disorder also have a substance abuse disorder (SUD). Patients in a manic episode are the most vulnerable. A working theory is that patients tend to try and self-medicate versus relying on prescribed medications. Even patients who have overcome substance problems have an overall lower quality of life compared to patients who have never had one.

Viruses

• Some theories suggest that specific viruses can trigger bipolar disorder in someone who may be genetically predispositioned to have it. The Borna virus, which affects the nervous system, has been linked to several mental illnesses. Various studies have shown Borna virus antibodies prevalent in patients with bipolar disorder.