Bipolar Disorder
A bipolar disorder is a mental disease characterized by an unusual mood, energy, activity levels, concentration, and the ability to perform everyday tasks.
Mood and energy changes, changes in activity levels, concentration problems, and difficulty carrying out daily tasks characterized this mental disorder.
The symptoms of these disorders include mood changes, energy levels, and activity levels. The moods can vary from severely "up," elated, irritable, or energized episodes (referred to as manic episodes) to significantly "down," depressed, indifferent, or hopeless (known as hypomanic episodes).
Causes of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder doesn't seem to have a primary cause. Psychologists have observed that this disorder starts during childhood or adolescence. People living with this disorder suffer for a long time before seeking help because of unawareness.
According to some researchers, some factors cause bipolar disorder. These factors are;
1- Genetic Factors
2- Biological Factors
3- Stressful life events
4- Childhood Trauma
5- Seasonal factors
Genetic factors
Scientists say that one primary cause of bipolar disorder is genetic. Bipolar disorder is more common in people who have a family member with this disorder (though they might not have a diagnosis).
Some studies on identical twins show that genes are not the only factor for bipolar disorder. Other studies on identical twins show that one twin develops bipolar disorder and others may not.
Among other factors that may trigger symptoms of bipolar disorder, researchers believe the environment can also be a significant factor. And it is common for family members to play an influential role in your life as you grow up.
Biological Factors
According to some research, they found out that one primary cause of bipolar disorder has significant physical changes in the brain. Psychiatrists believe these changes are because of a chemical imbalance in the brain.
Chemicals that control brain functions are called neurotransmitters. We believe that if there is an imbalance of one or more neurotransmitters. Then, a person can develop the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
For example, there is evidence that episodes of mania could occur when noradrenaline levels are too high. The Episodes of depression could result differently when noradrenaline levels are too low.
Stressful life events
We can sometimes link symptoms of bipolar disorder with stressful life events. Stressful circumstances or situations can also trigger the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Examples of these events are as follows;
• Poverty and money problems
• Breakdown in a relationship
• experiencing traumatic events
Childhood Trauma:
Some researchers said that experiencing a lot of emotional stress as a child can also cause the development of bipolar disorder. These emotional stresses can lead a child to develop an initial episode in a susceptible person. Symptoms can include experiencing like;
• Sexual and physical abuse
• Significant loss of a loved one
• Neglect
Seasonal factors
Seasonal factors play a role in the emergence of bipolar disorder, the chance of its emergence increases in the spring. It rapidly increases in hours of bright sunshine by affecting the pineal gland.
Can the drugs cause bipolar disorder?
Using medication, drugs, or alcohol wouldn't lead to the development of bipolar disorder. However, they can lead to some bipolar symptoms and moods. For example:
Some antidepressants:
You can get mania or hypomania from some antidepressants as a side effect of a withdrawal effect when you stop taking them.
Alcohol or street drugs:
It's often hard to tell if psychologists relate the effects of alcohol or street drugs to your mental health symptoms or not. When you drink alcohol or use street drugs, you may experience symptoms are like those of mania and depression.
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