Causes Of Bipolar Disorder

The causes of bipolar disorder can be attributed to a number of things and if left untreated can put the patient and those around them in danger. Bipolar disorder (previously known as Manic-Depressive Disorder) is a chemical imbalance that causes the patient to go into bouts of serious depression or mania. There is generally no middle or neutral ground with those suffering from bipolar disorder. Though previously only seen as treatable with severe forms of treatment, over the past decade medications have become available and seen great success with bipolar disorder patients. 

1. Types of Bipolar Disorder. Though there is some gray area around the types of bipolar disorder and a patients' symptoms can cross over into different types there are essential two types people are diagnosed with. Type I bipolar disorder is considered the most severe and diagnosed by the occurrence of one or more severe manic episodes followed by severe depression. In a manic episode a patient experiences delusions and possibly hallucinations. Some patients experience psychotic features and their daily life can be impaired. Bipolar Type II is the opposite of bipolar Type I in that is consists of more depressive episodes than manic ones. Symptoms can include all the same ones as Type I with the depressive crashes that leave the patient isolated and unable to deal with daily life.
2. Causes of Bipolar Disorder. There is no known specific cause of bipolar disorder, but scientists have been able to identify chemical imbalances, environmental factors and genetics as causes.
3. Genetic Predisposition. The genetic factors come from studies showing those from families with mood disorders people are more likely to be diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder or other mood disorders.
4. Chemical Imbalance. Chemical imbalances contribute if the brain doesn't produce enough chemicals to help neutrotransmitters function properly. Bipolar brains also fire much more frequently than the brain of a non-bipolar, and this wears the brain out faster.
5. Environmental Factors. Environmental factors include stress triggers. Major stressors can cause a bipolar episode. When the stressor occurs, this can cause a depressive episode which can lead to the multiple manic and depressive episodes bipolar patients experience.