Mariah Carey.
Bebe Rexha. Russell Brand. Catherine Zeta-Jones. What do these celebrities all have in common? They have all gone public with their diagnoses of
bipolar disorder. They are among the nearly 6 million American adults who are affected by the condition, which is characterized by extreme mood swings and significant changes in energy and activity levels. Symptoms of bipolar disorder often emerge in a person’s late teens or early 20s but can also occur later in life. What is it that makes some people more vulnerable to this potentially debilitating disorder that is associated with relationship problems, job performance issues, increased risk of suicide attempts, and a decrease of over 9 years in life expectancy?
Researchers have been working for decades to uncover the underlying causes of bipolar disorder and have discovered a variety of physical, emotional, psychiatric, and lifestyle factors that may increase risk.
Before exploring these potential risk factors, it’s important to understand the basics of bipolar disorder and its symptoms.
WHAT IS BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Bipolar disorder is also referred to as bipolar spectrum disorder and was previously known as manic-depressive illness. It is a brain disorder that involves both manic episodes and depressive episodes that shift in a cyclical pattern.
Symptoms of manic episodes include:
- Abnormally elevated mood
- Inflated self-esteem
- Decreased need for sleep
- Increase in goal-oriented activity
- Grandiose notions, ideas, or plans
- Increased talking or pressured speech
- Racing thoughts
- Inability to “turn off the mind”
- Poor judgment that leads to risk-taking behavior
- Hypersexuality or hyperreligiosity
- Excessive appetite
- Inappropriate social behavior
- Irritability or aggression
- Delusions or hallucinations
Symptoms of depressive episodes include:
- Persistent sad or negative mood
- Loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, and hopelessness
- Sleeping too much or too little, or waking up too early
- Decreased energy, fatigue, or feeling “slowed down”
- Difficulty concentrating
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
10 POTENTIAL RISK FACTORS FOR BIPOLAR DISORDER
Some of the factors that may increase the risk of bipolar disorder include the following:
1. Genetics
Having a family member with bipolar disorder increases the odds that you may experience it. As early as 2007, researchers had identified 2 genes—
ANK3 and CACNA1—associated with bipolar disorder. More recent findings in the
American Journal of Medical Genetics shows that numerous genetic variations are likely linked to the condition.
2. Emotional trauma
A
2016 review of scientific studies point to traumatic childhood experiences as a risk factor for bipolar disorder and for more severe outcomes related to the condition. Enduring
adverse childhood experiences—such as the death of a parent, sexual abuse, or neglect—have been linked to an earlier age of onset of bipolar symptoms and a higher risk of suicide.
3. Substance abuse
There is a high prevalence of addiction in people with bipolar disorder, which is known as comorbidity or dual diagnosis. It appears that the association is a two-way street. Having bipolar disorder increases the likelihood of self-medicating with substances. Likewise, using drugs or alcohol may contribute to the severity of bipolar symptoms. For example, addictive substances may prolong manic or depressive episodes. Specifically, cannabis use was identified in a
2015 review in the
Journal of Affective Disorders as a risk factor for bipolar disorder that may cause or exacerbate manic episodes. Alcohol and drugs are also associated with changes in the brain that may play a role in bipolar disorder.
4. High stress
Periods of extreme stress, such as the death of a loved one, divorce, disability, or other life events may trigger the onset of symptoms. A number of
studies have found that when stressful life events occur, the following 6 months are associated with an increased risk of the onset of bipolar symptoms.
5. Infections
Some research has found an association between infections, such as
T. gondii, and bipolar disorder, although the
scientific evidence is mixed.
6. Medical issues
Obesity, migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and asthma are also associated with bipolar disorder, but it is unclear if there is a causal relationship. It has been suggested that bipolar disorder and these physical ailments may share inflammation as an underlying factor.
7. Mental health issues
A
systematic review of existing research indicates that a number of psychiatric issues—including anxiety disorders, panic disorder, ADD/ADHD, conduct disorders, and aggression—raise the risk of developing bipolar disorder.
8. Traumatic brain injury
If you’ve had a head injury, you have higher odds of developing bipolar disorder, according to a
2016 review of 57 studies on TBI and subsequent psychiatric issues. One of the
studies included found that people with a prior TBI were 28% more likely to develop bipolar disorder. Brain SPECT imaging can be beneficial in detecting damage from a TBI.
9. Poor sleep
A lack of quality rest appears to impact the severity of manic and depressive episodes, particularly in women with the condition. This finding comes from a University of Michigan
12-year study on 1,100 individuals with bipolar disorder.
10. Gut health issues
This same research from the University of Michigan also found that people with bipolar disorder who are taking antipsychotic medications have lower levels of certain gut bacteria and less diversity of bacteria.
Understanding and treating the various factors that can contribute to bipolar disorder or that increase the severity of bipolar symptoms is one of the keys to managing the condition.
Bipolar disorder and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.
