Is Bipolar Disorder genetic? If so, is there a way to catch it early on and minimise the negative effects?
If you grew up in a family where your parents or other relatives suffered from bipolar disorder, you probably remember it well. Life can be incredibly difficult and confusing for a child experiencing second hand the mood shifts, behaviours, and questionable decisions made by a loved one with bipolar disorder. One second your mother is taking you and your siblings on spur-of-the-moment trips, and the next she is too depressed to even get out of bed.
If this sounds like your childhood, you might be wondering if you are at risk of developing the same condition now that you are an adult.
Let’s talk about it.
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition marked by extreme periods of ‘highs’ and ‘lows.’ Contrary to popular belief, these mood swings do not happen at the drop of the hat, but rather are thought of as episodes.
The ‘high’ episodes are called mania, and the ‘low’ episodes are referred to as a depression. While each person is unique, they may last from a few weeks up to a few months.
There are two main types of bipolar disorder:
- Bipolar 1: While an individual has episodes of full-blown mania, their following depressive episodes are severe but do not meet the threshold for a major depressive episode.
- Bipolar 2: An individual may have episodes of mania, but they are not severe enough to reach a threshold of a full-blown manic episode. On the other hand, their episodes of depression meet the criteria for a major depressive episode.
As you can see, each type of bipolar disorder is marked by these highs and lows. No matter the type of bipolar disorder, a manic episode is always followed by a depressive episode and vice versa.
However, the symptom that takes centre stage is what will determine if an individual has bipolar 1 vs. bipolar 2.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
If you are curious about how your genes may play a role in your risk for developing bipolar disorder, you likely already know the warning signs to look out for. It is important to remember that everyone experiences bipolar disorder differently and while some individuals experience extreme impairment, others are only mild.
In addition, understanding the symptoms of mania vs. depression can help you identify them if you suspect you are experiencing one or the other.
Depressive symptoms:
- Feeling hopeless
- Feeling sad
- Feeling miserable
- Fatigue
- Struggling to remember things
- Difficulty concentrating
- Loss of interest in daily activities
- Feelings of emptiness
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Feeling guilt or despair
- Increased negativity about life
- Low self-confidence or self-doubt
- Experiencing hallucinations and disturbed thoughts
- Lack of appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Sleeping too much
- Suicidal thoughts
Manic Symptoms:
- Extreme feelings of happiness
- Feeling overjoyed
- Talking very quickly
- Feeling an excess amount of energy
- Feeling an inflated sense of self-importance
- Feeling full of new ideas and plans
- Easily distracted
- Easily agitated
- Feeling or acting delusional
- Little sleep
- Decreased appetite
- Making large impulse decisions
Between these episodes of depression and mania, you may have time where you feel relatively normal. Around 5-10% of individuals with bipolar disorder experience around 4 episodes a year, and often this number can be higher.
A Few Reasons Why It May Occur
Much research is still left to be desired on the root cause of bipolar disorder.
Researchers do know, however, that 80% of bipolar disorder cases are hereditary. While these statistics are high, it also means if you have a relative with this condition you are not guaranteed to inherit it.
While these biological factors are clearly dominant, there are a few other causes that may influence a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. These include:
- Brain structure
- Concussions
- Traumatic head injuries
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Periods of extreme stress (work or personal life)
- Seasonal factors
In some women, the time after giving birth may trigger the onset of bipolar disorder. This is often the case in women who are already genetically at risk of this condition.
Is There a Genetic Link for Developing Bipolar Disorder?
The strongest known cause of bipolar disorder is family genetics. Individuals with a close relative such as a sister, or parent with bipolar disorder have a tenfold risk increase of developing this condition.
For unknown reasons, some families pass down bipolar disorder at higher rates than others. This may be due to other family members having other mood disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety, or depression.
Overall, whilst there is still so much to learn, researchers have concluded that tiny variations in certain genes cause bipolar disorder to occur. Those genes are then passed on to children, grandchildren, and so on and so forth.
Being Proactive About Genetic Bipolar Disorder
As with any condition that has a genetic basis, it’s always a good idea to be proactive. The earlier you catch it, the sooner you can speak with a mental health professional and minimize the impact an undiagnosed condition may have on your life.
Talking with your primary care provider is an excellent place to start. They can administer tests that indicate a genetic marker – making you aware of your predisposition to this mental condition.
If you suspect you’re exhibiting signs of bipolar disorder the best thing you can do is educate yourself on the signs and symptoms to look out for. This way, when you suspect an episode coming on you’ll be armed and ready to weather out the storm.
While society has come a long way in normalizing the conversation around mental illness, you might still feel ashamed or embarrassed to reach out for help. Understand these feelings are completely normal and many people experience them before beginning their journey of seeking guidance.
At the end of the day, those with certain genes are at risk for inheriting bipolar disorder at higher rates than those without this condition in their family tree. However, just because you have a family member with bipolar disorder doesn’t mean you’re doomed.
Many people still continue to live happy, healthy lives while managing their condition. Taking the proper precautionary steps if you feel as though you’re at risk can help you take control of your life and your health.
Orchestrate Health offers bespoke mental health services that people can access from the comfort of their own home or within their community, with rapid response times and even daily visits if needed. Orchestrate Health can provide help for those struggling with bipolar disorder, and remove the inconvenience of travelling to and from appointments.
Resources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3966627/
