What Triggers Bipolar Disorder?

 

What triggers bipolar disorder is not clear. Many factors are believed to be involved in the condition, but some are unknown. Stress, drugs, bereavement, and genetics are among the more common factors. If you suspect that your loved one is at risk of developing bipolar disorder, you should stay with them until help arrives. Then, call 911 or take your loved one to the hospital emergency room. If you don't have the patience to wait for help, sign up for a health newsletter. You'll receive news of the latest research findings, health tips, and expert advice for managing your health.

Stress

In addition to triggering symptoms, stress also causes relapses in people with bipolar disorder. People who are stressed out are more likely to develop symptoms of manic depression, depressive episodes, and anxiety. In addition, stress-related illnesses can become a secondary stressor and increase the risk of relapse. Managing stress properly is critical in preventing relapse. It is important to seek medical advice and support when you feel overwhelmed or stressed out.

To treat bipolar disorder, people with depressive moods can practice self-management techniques and lifestyle changes. These methods may include following an exercise program, quitting alcohol, eating a healthy diet, and getting adequate sunlight throughout the year. Additionally, a healthy lifestyle and eating habits can help reduce symptoms and medication use. Moreover, proper sleep and regular exercise can help stabilize moods. As with any chronic disorder, a patient should monitor their symptoms to determine the cause of mood swings.

Drugs

It's possible that some people use drugs to help them feel better. Often, people take stimulants like amphetamines, cocaine, and downers to enhance their mood and numb their sadness. However, drug addiction may also play a role in the development of bipolar disorder. The following are examples of drugs that trigger mania and depression in individuals with bipolar disorder. You may wonder whether these drugs are the root cause of your condition.

Unfortunately, many people with bipolar disorder seek self-medication. The extreme levels of depression are uncomfortable and many people turn to alcohol or illicit drugs to alleviate their symptoms. Unfortunately, these patients also seek ways to prolong their manic periods with drugs. In the process, they often become addicted to drugs and alcohol. The only way to overcome addiction and bipolar disorder is to seek out treatment for both problems. Treatment is intensive and should be based on a combination of behavioral therapy and medical treatment.

Bereavement

In the first year following a bereavement, a person is more likely to suffer from major depression than to suffer from milder mood swings. However, it is possible to get better and reclaim your old self after a bereavement. According to Zisook and Shechter, depressive symptoms can develop up to 2 years after the bereavement. The reasons for the onset of these mood swings can vary, but many researchers find a link between death and depression.

Recent research suggests that bereavement can cause an episode of bipolar disorder. In addition, it can trigger a manic episode. Recent studies have identified several pathological reactions triggered by bereavement, including funeral mania (CG), which develops in approximately 7% of bereaved individuals. This is associated with significant impairment of social-working functioning and an increased risk of suicidality. Although the evidence is limited, this mood disorder may be a trigger of a manic episode in people who have no previous history of mental disorders.

Genetics

Scientists have found a genetic link between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Although no single gene has been identified as a risk factor, genetic data from families with schizophrenia is associated with higher rates of bipolar disorder. Several genetic mutations in bipolar disorder are associated with an increased risk for the disorder. Researchers are working to identify which genes are associated with increased risk for bipolar disorder. The researchers have compiled genetic data from various sources to identify the best candidate genes.

People with bipolar disorder may wonder if the condition is hereditary. The answer is yes. The disorder is hereditary, and genetics plays a role in developing the illness. In fact, scientists have discovered that specific genes play an important role in developing mental illnesses. Children of people who suffer from BP have a 15 to 30% chance of developing it. If their parents have the disorder, there is a 50-75% chance that they will develop the disorder.

Dysregulation of the behavioral approach system

The behavioral approach system (BAS) mediates reward-driven approaches and the responses to complex valence stimuli. Both these systems contribute to behavioral output and are highly flexible and adaptive to changing motivational cues. Bipolar disorder is associated with hyperactivation of the BAS and hypoactivation of the BIS. Overactivation of BAS increases reward sensitivity, while under-activation decreases punishment sensitivity. These abnormalities lead to manic and depressive symptoms.

In a recent study, researchers from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Veteran's Affairs Capitol Health Care Network found that dysregulation of the BAS is associated with poorer outcomes in patients with bipolar disorder. Although it remains unclear exactly what causes this relationship, the present study investigated the association between parental criticism and BAS dysregulation. BAS comprises a number of cognitive schemas, including emotional reactivity to negative feedback.