Twin and family studies have shown that people with bipolar disorder tend to have relatives with similar symptoms. Recently, genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified genetic variants associated with bipolar disorder.
Children of a parent with bipolar disorder have about a 15% to 30% chance of developing the condition themselves. But these genes are not the only cause.
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What is Bipolar Disorder?
The condition causes mood swings and other symptoms like changes in energy, sleep patterns, and behavior. People who have it experience these episodes, called mania or depression, at different times. They may have episodes that last days or weeks and sometimes longer. The illness can affect work, school, and relationships. It’s crucial to get diagnosed and treated to help manage the disorder.
A person with bipolar disorder is more likely to have other illnesses, like heart disease or diabetes. It’s also more likely that they will abuse drugs or alcohol, which can cause problems with their medication. The illness can be very disruptive to a person’s life, but treatment can improve the quality of life and prevent more severe symptoms.
Genetics has a significant impact on the causes of bipolar disorder. Persons who have a family member with the disease are more likely to have it themselves than persons without a history of the condition in their family, according to studies of twins, adoptions, and families.
It’s also possible that mental stress, a significant loss, or other traumatic event can trigger the first episode in a person who is susceptible to the disorder. These events include moving house, starting or losing a job, getting married or having children, family disagreements, and other significant life changes.
How is Bipolar Disorder Identified?
People with bipolar disorder often experience severe ups and downs in their mood, energy levels, and ability to think clearly. These changes, different from normal moods, make it hard to carry out everyday tasks and maintain relationships. Symptoms range from low or depressed episodes to high or manic episodes. Both men and women are equally affected by bipolar disorder, which can start during childhood or adolescence.
Most of the time, the person with the disorder doesn’t know what is wrong with them. Family members or friends may notice unusual moods, behaviors, and activities. They also might notice that they seem very happy or energetic for long periods or are unfortunate. These are called mood episodes, usually lasting for a week or two or longer.
Doctors diagnose bipolar disorder based on the person’s reports of their symptoms, information from their family and friends, and a medical work-up that includes blood and urine tests and a screening for substance use. They might also order brain scans to rule out other causes of the symptoms, such as a thyroid problem or seizures.
Treatment options for bipolar disorder include talk therapy (psychotherapy), medicine, and sometimes electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, in cases where other medications don’t help. Some people find that self-management strategies, such as keeping a diary of their symptoms and using helpful lifestyle habits, can improve their quality of life and reduce the number and length of their mood episodes.
How is Bipolar Disorder Predicated on Genetics?
Researchers know that genetics plays a significant role in bipolar disorder. If one of your parents has the disorder, you have a 10%-25% chance of developing it yourself. If both parents have it, the chances increase to about 4 in 5. Likewise, having a first-degree relative with the disorder — a brother or sister, parent, or child — also increases your risk.
Many different types of gene mutations can contribute to the development of a mood disorder like bipolar. But it still needs to be determined exactly how they work. Scientists have tried identifying gene variants through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with large sample sizes. However, the results of these studies have been inconsistent and often show only minor effects.
Scientists are now working to understand how different genes combine to affect a person’s risk of bipolar disorder. They hope this will help them find ways to treat the condition more effectively.
A recent study found 64 regions of the genome that may increase someone’s chances of having bipolar disorder. It is more than double the number known previously. The research identified DNA variations related to brain cell communication and calcium signaling, sleep patterns, and alcohol and other drugs. It is possible that these genes are linked to the various subtypes of the disease and may explain why bipolar I disorder shares a genetic overlap with schizophrenia, while schizoaffective disorder has more similarities with depression.
How is Bipolar Disorder Treated?
People with bipolar disorder can live a happy, fulfilling life with proper treatment. Often, a combination of medications and psychotherapy improves symptoms. It’s essential to avoid alcohol and illicit drugs, which can worsen or trigger an episode, and to get adequate sleep. Stress can also worsen symptoms, so it’s important to learn healthy ways to manage it.
Psychiatrists may use mood stabilizers to treat the highs and lows of bipolar disorder and antidepressants for depression. They can also prescribe an antipsychotic medication to treat the psychotic episodes that can sometimes occur with bipolar disorder. They might also suggest psychotherapy (talk therapy) or family-focused therapies.
It’s not clear why some people develop bipolar disorder. But genes do play a role. A person’s chances of illness increase if one or more close relatives have it. People with a history of abuse or mental illness are also at greater risk. Biological factors, like chemical imbalances or hormones, are also thought to contribute.Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a brain stimulation procedure that can relieve severe episodes of bipolar disorder. It’s used when medications don’t work or when a patient is at high risk for suicide or catatonia (a state of unresponsiveness). Another option is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, which uses magnetic waves to relieve depression over several treatment sessions.