Etain and colleagues 6,11 have shown that in patients with bipolar disorder, more than 50% report childhood trauma, with a high incidence of emotional abuse; 63% of the patients had experienced 2 or more forms of trauma as well as more severe forms.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), research suggests that as many as 30-50% of people with bipolar disorder may develop comorbid substance abuse disorder at some point in their life.
Substance Abuse
People who abuse drugs or alcohol are also at risk for developing bipolar disorder. Substance use doesn't cause the disorder, but it can make mood episodes worse or hasten the onset of symptoms.
Childhood traumatic events are risk factors for developing bipolar disorders, in addition to a more severe clinical presentation over time (primarily an earlier age at onset and an increased risk of suicide attempt and substance misuse).
Research from 2016 reviewed multiple studies exploring the link between bipolar disorder and childhood trauma. Researchers concluded that trauma didn't just increase bipolar disorder risk. It also seemed to lead to more severe symptoms, including suicidal thoughts or attempts.
As mentioned previously, the most common misdiagnosis for bipolar patients is unipolar depression. An incorrect diagnosis of unipolar depression carries the risk of inappropriate treatment with antidepressants, which can result in manic episodes and trigger rapid cycling.
Bipolar disorder is frequently inherited, with genetic factors accounting for approximately 80% of the cause of the condition. Bipolar disorder is the most likely psychiatric disorder to be passed down from family. If one parent has bipolar disorder, there's a 10% chance that their child will develop the illness.
The average age-of-onset is about 25, but it can occur in the teens, or more uncommonly, in childhood. The condition affects men and women equally, with about 2.8% of the U.S. population diagnosed with bipolar disorder and nearly 83% of cases classified as severe.
Stressful events might include grief over a death in the family, trauma, loss of a job, the birth of a child or moving into a new home. Alcohol or drug use may also be a factor. The way that we understand bipolar disorder and its causes is similar to the way that we understand many other chronic illnesses.
One of the most common bipolar triggers is stress. In a study published in June 2014 in the Journal of Affective Disorders, negative or stressful life events were associated with subsequent mood swings.
Arguments With Friends, Family, Or Coworkers
The irritability you experience during manic and depressive episodes can increase arguments with friends, loved ones, and even co-workers. These arguments increase stress which is one of the triggers of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar rage is a waking nightmare for the person in it's grips and for those in its path. It is uncontrollable, unstable, and unpredictable. With regular anger there's usually a trigger, something you can pinpoint and go "Ah ha! This is what set them off and this is why it set them off".
People with bipolar disorder may try to manage the most severe changes in their mood and energy levels by self-medicating. They may use alcohol or marijuana to calm manic periods, and stimulants to raise mood during a depressive period.
Addictive behaviors have been observed among patients with bipolar mood disorders especially during manic episodes, but it may also occur during euthymic periods or other mood phases (17, 18). In the manic state, a high level of aggression has been described, which is dependent on impulsive behavior (19, 20).
Drugs with a definite propensity to cause manic symptoms include levodopa, corticosteroids and anabolic-androgenic steroids. Antidepressants of the tricyclic and monoamine oxidase inhibitor classes can induce mania in patients with pre-existing bipolar affective disorder.
People with bipolar experience both episodes of severe depression and episodes of mania – overwhelming joy, excitement or happiness, huge energy, a reduced need for sleep, and reduced inhibitions. The experience of bipolar is uniquely personal. No two people have exactly the same experience.
Both the ADA and SSA consider bipolar disorder a disability. That qualifies you to get extra protection and benefits under the law. To start the process, talk with your doctor. You will need documents to prove to the government that bipolar disorder affects your ability to work.
It is estimated that approximately 1.3% of Australians live with a form of bipolar disorder. One in 50 adult Australians experience bipolar disorder each year.
Although there is no official classification for end stage bipolar disorder, mild structural changes in the brain that lead to cognitive dysfunction can severely reduce someone's quality of life, especially toward the end of life.
Bipolar disorder is characterised by recurrent episodes of depression and mania or hypomania. The duration of mood episodes varies from several days to several months, with usually a period of remission in between.
Defects in mitochondrial DNA sequences may contribute to a predisposition to such complex diseases as diabetes and bipolar disorder. Therefore, if all bipolar disorder patients have mitochondrial predisposition genes, then the transition of bipolar disorder from the mother's side would be higher.
They found that 12 risk genes for bipolar disorder were also linked to intelligence. In 75 % of these genes, bipolar disorder risk was associated with higher intelligence. In schizophrenia, there was also a genetic overlap with intelligence, but a higher proportion of the genes was associated with cognitive impairment.
PTSD is well known to commonly co-occur with mood disorders, including bipolar disorder. Studies indicate that people with bipolar disorder are nearly 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with PTSD than the general population.