Causes of Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder has a number of causes contributing to it.
Some of them are as follows:
Genetics
Bipolar disorder has a major genetic component. Evidences show that first-degree relatives of people with bipolar disorder are more likely to suffer from this illness. Offspring of a parent with bipolar disorder have a 50% chance developing this illness. A genome-wide study found that 10 genes of small effect was associated with bipolar disorder.1
A recent study by Tsuang et al. indicated a genetic link between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.2
Biochemical
Abnormalities in biochemical pathways contribute to this condition. Blood pressure reducing drugs like reserpine decrease the production of catecholamine (a group of amines that have important physiological effects as neurotransmitters and hormones, and include epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine) from nerve terminals causing both mania and depression.
Drugs like cocaine act on neurotransmitter system causing mania. Hormonal imbalance and response to stress also contributes to this illness. Tricyclic antidepressants can trigger mania.3
Environmental
Environmental factors may play a role in bipolar disorder. Death in the family, separation of parents, changes during puberty, external stressors due to nature of work are some of the factors contributing to it.
Next page: Diagnosis of Bipolar disorder
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last modified: July 05, 2011