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What Are the Causes of Bipolar Affective Disorder?
by Yvette Sajem
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Overview
What Are the Causes of Bipolar Affective Disorder?
Bipolar affective disorder, more commonly known as bipolar disorder or manic-depressive disorder, is a mental illness characterized by extreme shifts in mood (from exhilarating highs to debilitating lows), energy and level of activity. Bipolar affective disorder compromises one's ability to work, to maintain relationships and to even perform the mundane tasks of daily living. There is no lone cause of this destructive illness, but rather it is the result of genetic, biological and environmental factors that come together to form bipolar affective disorder.
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Genetic Factors
Bipolar affective disorder tends to run in families. Therefore, someone who has a parent or sibling with bipolar affective disorder is at greater risk for developing the illness. Scientists have pinpointed several traits that close blood relatives with bipolar affective disorder share: age of onset of first manic episode; number and frequency of manic episodes; co-morbidity with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); and a history of psychiatric hospitalization. Conversely, identical twin studies have shown that one twin can develop bipolar affective disorder while the other does not, suggesting that there is more than just genetics behind the illness.
What Are the Causes of Bipolar Affective Disorder?
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Biological Factors
Through the use of modern brain-imaging technology, researchers have discovered differences in brain development and structure between people with bipolar affective disorder and healthy individuals. Other studies suggest a link between bipolar affective disorder and concurrently occurring hyperactivity in the emotion and motor centers of brain and slowed activity in parts of the brain controlling judgement, inhibition, attention and concentration. Other suspects include superfluous amounts of calcium in brain cells, overproduction of the hormone cortisol and a disrupted circadian rhythm (sleeping/waking regulator).
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Environmental Factors
Researchers believe that environmental factors can contribute to the onset of bipolar disorder; that is, if you are genetically or biologically vulnerable, then a life event or lifestyle choice may trigger an episode. A major risk factor in the onset the disorder is a traumatic life event such as the death of a loved one, loss of a relationship, job loss, chronic illness, or physical or sexual abuse. However, the source of stress doesn't have to be a negative to trigger bipolar affective disorder. A sudden lifestyle change such as getting married, giving birth or going away to school, could also trigger an episode. Other triggers include substance abuse, lack of sound sleep and seasonal changes.
What Are the Causes of Bipolar Affective Disorder?
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Medication-Triggered Mania
Antidepressants can actually trigger a manic episode in some people. Because of this, a physician must be especially careful when prescribing antidepressants to treat a depressive episode in someone who has already experienced a manic episode. In this situation, a physician will typically prescribe an antimanic drug, which will prevent the antidepressant from lifting the mood too "high", in an effort to create a balanced, managed mood. Other medications that may trigger mania include over-the-counter cold medications and appetite suppressants, corticosteroids and thyroid medications. Once the use of these medications has ceased, however, normal mood is generally restored.
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The Viral Infection Theory
The large number of people with bipolar affective disorder born during the winter months has prompted researchers to theorize that viral agents may be responsible for the onset of the illness. The Borna virus, which causes severe central nervous damage in animals, has been the subject of recent studies. Researchers have found significant amounts of the virus in psychiatric patients, and believe that it may be responsible for subtle brain abnormalities. Conversely, opposing researchers believe that psychiatric illnesses suppress the immune system, thus allowing the Borna virus and other microbes to infect patients. In addition, research also suggests that babies born to mothers infected by herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) may be at higher risk for developing bipolar affective disorder as adults.
What Are the Causes of Bipolar Affective Disorder?
