Three Root Causes of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition that is often misdiagnosed as some other type of mood disorder or personality disorder. For individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder, understanding the causes of the mood disorder will help to clear the way for more effective mental health treatment and an improvement in overall symptoms and quality of life.

Bipolar disorder is believed to be a disease that develops when a combination of biological, genetic and environmental conditions exist. When in the right combination of imbalance, the two polar symptoms of bipolar disorder – mania and depression – will manifest. When suffering from depression and episodes of mania, it is important to understand that these mood disorder complications may be attributed to the root causes of bipolar disorder and find ways in which to manage these three components of biology, genetics and environment to improve quality of life.

In terms of biological complications, the depressive and mania symptoms of bipolar disorder are believed to be rooted in a complication involving the dopamine pathways of the brain. Because dopamine directly affects the transmission of messages across cells when not in proper balance, these messages can be misinterpreted or even deferred altogether. In addition to dopamine, individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder may also be experiencing a biological complication involving a deficiency of reelin, the information processing protein of the brain.

Genetics, as a cause of bipolar disorder, is not clearly determined. However, many physicians believe there is a genetic component to the development of bipolar disorder when considering the degree to which the mood disorder is present among family members. Mitochondrial implications may play a role in the DNA complications that lead to bipolar disorder and, unfortunately, this type of complication cannot be negated in those who suffer from this mood disorder nor can it be detected by way of genetic testing.

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder that results in not only depressive symptoms but also symptoms that are associated with mania. As a third cause of bipolar disorder, the development of mania symptoms is believed to be part of an environmental influence. Often, when under a significant amount of stress, an individual who lives with bipolar disorder will suddenly find the symptoms of mania are more apparent. To effectively manage the symptoms of bipolar disorder, reducing stress levels will be vital to those who live with bipolar disorder and are trying to understand the causes.

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder and mental health complication that leads to a variety of physical and social complications. Understanding the causes of bipolar disorder will help to ensure the person who lives with the disorder is given the tools to work through the variety of conditions that may play a role in exacerbating the symptoms of the mood disorder. As a condition that arises from the combination of biological, genetic, and environmental influences, managing and understanding bipolar disorder can be a lifelong process.

Sources: Journal of Psychopharmacology, 19(6), 96-99. Journal of Clinic Psychiatry, 64, 184-189.