What causes Bipolar Disorder?
A simple answer to this question is that, Bipolar Disorder is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain. But what triggers these chemical imbalances is yet to be determined. Multiple factors can interact with each other to produce a chemical imbalance that may cause the onset of episodes that constitute Bipolar Disorder.
These factors are:
Genetics
This factor has been researched through multiple family, adoption and twin studies and there is overwhelming evidence to suggest that Bipolar Disorder can be inherited and there is a genetic vulnerability to developing the illness. In other words, some people are born with genes that make it more likely that they will experience the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. However, it is not known why some people with these genes develop Bipolar Disorder and others do not.
Stress Triggers
Often a stressful event such as a death in the family, a difficult childhood, a chronic illness, a difficult relationship or financial problems, or any major change in life, seems to trigger the first episodes. It can be pretty much anything, but it cannot be precisely defined. Research has found that stressful life events can lead to onset of symptoms in Bipolar Disorder. However, once the disorder triggers and progresses, it seems to develop a life of its own. Once the cycle begins, psychological and/or biological processes take over and keep the illness active.
Neurotransmitters
Some studies suggest that a low or high level of a specific neurotransmitter such a serotonin, norepinephrine or dopamine is the cause.
Other studies indicate that an imbalance of these substances is the problem. Still other studies have found evidence that change in the sensitivity of the receptors on nerve cells may be the issue.
In short, researchers are quite certain that the neurotransmitter system is at least part of the cause of Bipolar Disorder, but further research is required to determine its exact role.
Diathesis-Stress Model
Pulling it all together, the best possible explanation according to research available at this time is what is termed the “Diathesis-Stress Model”. The word diathesis means, in simplified terms, a physical condition that makes a person more than usually susceptible to certain diseases. Thus, the Diathesis-Stress Model says that each person inherits certain physical vulnerabilities to problems that may or may not appear depending on what stresses occur in his or her life. Durand and Barlow define this model as a theory “that both an inherited tendency and specific stressful conditions are required to produce a disorder”
So the bottom-line, according to today’s thinking, is that if you are manic depressive, you were born with the possibility of developing this disorder, and something in your life set it off.
Source: http://bipolar.about.com/cs/bpbasics/a/what_causes_bp.htm
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