Causes and Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Genetics:   

Because bipolar disorder is such a complicated disorder, the causes can vary from patient to patient. It is widely agreed that in many cases, bipolar disorder is a result of genetics, though again, medical experts cannot pinpoint exactly how. Studies have suggested that there are certain chromosomal regions and candidate genes that relate to the development of bipolar disorder, but results have been inconsistent. There is some speculation that advanced parental age can lead to bipolar disorder, which hints that genetic mutations might have something to do with causing the disorder.

Life Experiences:

There are some findings that suggest that childhood traumas and/or abuses can contribute to the onslaught of bipolar disorder. Psychosocial elements may interact with a potential predisposed genetic mutation. Studies have shown that nearly half of all adults with bipolar disorder suffered abuse in childhood, which is associated with earlier onslaught of bipolar tendencies. Early traumatic events also make developmental challenges throughout adolescence more difficult.

The Brain:

Much research has gone into the study of what actually happens in the brain of those afflicted with bipolar disorder. Again, the studies are inconsistent. The “kindling” theory suggests that those predisposed to bipolar disorder suffer traumatic events as children, which opens the gateway for episodes to occur. Over time, they get triggered again and again by these traumas, which make it possible later in life for episodes simply to trigger themselves. There have also been studies around melatonin alterations, but it is not known to what extent melatonin is linked to bipolar disorder.

Symptoms

Symptoms, of course, will vary from person to person, as some are more prone to depression (and vice-versa) and some go equally back and forth between mania and depression.

Mania and Hypomania:

In the manic phase of bipolar, individuals experience heightened energy levels and hyperactivity. People usually talk very quickly, sleep very little, and in general have little focus. At first, mania feels good—it lulls people into thinking that they’re invincible. But mania can spiral out of control very quickly. Reckless behavior soon sets in, and irritability, anger, and aggressiveness can take over. With extreme mania, people might begin to succumb to delusional behavior and impaired judgment.  Hypomania is a less extreme version of mania. The danger with hypomania is that it can easily be misconstrued as just general happiness and excitement.

Depression and Mixed Episodes:

Bipolar depression was commonly mistaken for regular depression in the past. It is important to note that bipolar depression is accompanied by different symptoms than normal depression. Common symptoms lean more towards aggression, irritability, guilt, mood swings and restlessness, though there are some classic depressive symptoms as well. Mixed episodes are brutal because they involve symptoms of both mania and depression—agitation, anxiety, insomnia, loss of focus and racing thoughts dominate the mind of an individual going through a mixed episode. 

Signs to Watch:

If you suspect a loved one of experiencing bipolar disorder you can certainly look for signs. Is the person particularly irritable all the time? Is their inability to take pleasure in activities palpable? Has their appetite or weight changed at all? These can be signs of bipolar disorder. Do you notice that there are sleep problems and subsequent concentration or memory problems? When you converse with the person, are they demonstrating mental dexterity or sluggishness? Again, these are all traits to look for when you suspect bipolar disorder. One trait alone may be an indication of something else, but if you notice more than one, you should definitely investigate further for bipolar disorder.

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