Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that leads to severe alterations in mood, thinking, energy and behaviour. A person can be manic at one point, and then become depressive at another. The symptoms can endure for just days to months. Their mood may either be bad or good. It’s different from typical mood changes since mood swings in bipolar disorder can hamper the normal functioning of an individual. Bipolar disorder can be exhibited differently by various people. There are certain people who have more manic episodes than depressive ones. Others experience equal amount of the mood episodes.
The causes of bipolar disorder are not well understood. It is believed that the activity of neurotransmitters is one of the causes of bipolar disorder. Experts have also determined it is due to genetics. Other causes of bipolar disorder include stress and other environmental factors.
Causes of bipolar disorder include neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters have been linked to mood disorders. Thus, medications that treat bipolar disorder aim to change these neurotransmitters. There are certain researches that indicate high levels of norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine are causes of bipolar disorder. Some studies revealed bipolar disorder is a result of neurotransmitter imbalance. For instance, there is an excess amount of a certain neurotransmitter that isn’t really needed by the body. There may also be problems with how nerve cell receptors are sensitive to neurotransmitter activity. Although it has been established the neurotransmitters are among the causes of bipolar disorder, further research is required to truly determine the effect of these substances.
The causes of bipolar disorder include genetic factors. This has been determined by conducting researches with twins, multiple families and adoption. Studies have shown that immediate family members of a bipolar individual have a greater risk of developing the mental illness than family members without a history of bipolar disorder. In comparison with a fraternal twin, an identical twin has three times higher possibility of acquiring the condition if the other twin is bipolar. Because of great amounts of research studies, it has become apparent that genetics is one of the causes of bipolar disorder.
Whether it is mental or emotional, stress triggers are among the causes of bipolar disorder. Life-changing events such as losing a job, loss of a family member, purchase of a new home or birth of a baby can be stressful for an individual. Studies have shown that these events may be the causes of bipolar disorder. As soon as bipolar disorder symptoms are stimulated, it soon takes over an individual. The vicious cycle of depression and mania starts and it can completely alter one’s activities of daily living.
One factor cannot ultimately cause a person to develop bipolar disorder. It is through a combination of the causes of bipolar disorder that an individual acquires the illness. According to Durand and Barlow’s “Diathesis-Stress Model,” having a genetic predisposition and being exposed to stressful situations trigger the condition. Thus, if one is afflicted with this mental illness, it is due to the various causes of bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, this theory can still be refined by scientists in the forthcoming.
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