“Are there factors that could put someone at risk of developing bipolar disorder?”
My husband has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I am upset about the fact that we could not see the condition coming in advance. What could have been the factors that caused this condition for my husband?
8 Answers
Mood disorders can be genetic. Talk with him about his family history. Also drug abuse, present or past, could be a factor.
It often runs in the family.
It’s mostly determined by genetics. But an exposure to certain substances — steroids, cocaine -- can definitely cause manic behavior.
Biological predisposition plays a big role, but environmental factors do, too, such as long periods of sleep deprivation and substance abuse.
I'm sorry, disregard the last sentence. I'm in Puerto Rico and there is still no electricity in my area. As I was saying, there is a strong genetic correlation in bipolar disorder, but it is usually accompanied by several other stressors. It may have manifested because of an ongoing psychosocial stressor, a physical illness, among other possible causes. The point I most importantly wish to reiterate is that, because any of your husband’s family members carry the gene for bipolar disorder, it means they will develop the disease.
Jan Fawcett
Psychiatrist
A family history of bipolar disorder is associated with it's onset. Situational factors include loss of sleep, severe life stress, too much alcohol or marijuana use can precipitate an initial episode.
Bipolar illness is an inherited illness, but there are causation to make it appear. Increase pressure at work or home. The earliest signs are inability to sleep and all activities speed up. If diagnosed early, it’s a TREATABLE illness and to engage a good psychiatrist. Usually, the pt. will not agree and the family almost always bring the patient to treatment. It’s dangerous because patients use home treatments like alcohol to sleep and slow down and you will have two diseases, and if the patient is at an age to have other illnesses, it will show in organic diseases. Nevertheless, it is TREATABLE if we as psychiatrists see the patient EARLY and will have a good prognosis.
If he is older, he needs a neurological check. Typically, it is a genetic disorder that expresses itself in young adulthood and typically comes on like a light switch. The only other risk factor might be a father who was older when there was conception. Often, family history of unipolar depression.
