“What causes bipolar depression?”

Biological psychiatric and Social environment

The standard answer to this question is that there is no external cause, that it is a genetic, neurobiological disorder that requires life time treatment with medication. In my experience, there is no proof of these assertions and I find that so called bipolar depression has its roots in life circumstances. For people who suffer manic attacks, it is different. These manic episodes usually result in destructive events in the person's life, and depression can be the reaction to these events.

Bipolar Depression is one of the illnesses that has biologic roots, often genetic. As with most biologic illnesses, medication is usually indicated.

The brief answer to your question is unknown. More than likely the underlying pathology for depressive disorders is genetic. However clinically bipolar depression is at least partially caused by one’s emotional responses to life in general.