What are the real causes of bipolar disorder? (Bipolar Disorder) Let's talk about this!

Does your mind feel out of place? Sometimes you feel incredibly happy and excited for no reason... You feel like you can conquer the world. But other times, you feel so sad and empty that you can't even get out of bed? This kind of rapid swing between the extremes of happiness and sadness can feel like riding a roller coaster. This is what we call bipolar disorder in medical science. Many people are afraid and ashamed to talk about it. But it's not your fault. It's a medical condition that needs to be treated, just like diabetes or high blood pressure. So let's talk about it openly and honestly today.

What really happens inside our brains?

Simply put, bipolar disorder is an imbalance in the chemical processes and circuits in our brain. It's like a glitch in the wiring system of a house. Experts believe that this is directly affected by the activity of chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, in our brain.

These messengers control everything in our minds, from happiness to sadness, sleep, appetite, and activity. Of these, we will talk about three main chemicals.

When levels of these chemicals become too high or too low, our moods can fluctuate between extremes, from mania, where we feel extremely happy and energetic, to major depression, where we feel so sad that we can't do anything.

Is this a hereditary disease?

Yes, the answer to this question is "mostly yes". There is a strong genetic link to bipolar disorder. Think of it this way, if someone in your family has diabetes, you are at some risk of developing it too. But that doesn't mean that if someone in your family has it, you will definitely develop it too. But the risk is higher than the average person.

• Twin studies: The most convincing study on this topic has been done on twins. In identical twins, if one of them has bipolar disorder, the other has a 40% to 70% chance of developing it in their lifetime. This shows how much genes play a role in this.
• Family studies: Research conducted at universities such as Johns Hopkins and Stanford in the United States has found that if one parent has bipolar disorder (Bipolar I or Bipolar II), the risk of children developing that disorder or another mental illness (e.g. major depression, ADHD) is higher.

But the most important thing to understand here is that genes alone are not responsible for this. Genes are like gunpowder that can be ignited. For it to ignite, it needs an external spark.

How does the environment and our lifestyle affect us?

That spark is our environment and lifestyle. These things can trigger bipolar symptoms in someone who is genetically at risk.

• Stressful life events: Things like the death of a loved one, losing a job, or breaking up a relationship can be powerful triggers.
• Childhood experiences: For a child whose parents suffer from bipolar disorder, the home environment can be unstable. Things like sudden mood swings and verbal abuse can have a profound impact on the child's mental health.
• Drug and alcohol use : Drugs and alcohol are substances that completely disrupt the chemical balance in the brain. Their use can make bipolar symptoms more severe and reduce the response to treatment.

This means that if a person with a genetic predisposition experiences a stressful event in life, the chances of this disease emerging are much higher.

How much does lack of sleep affect this?

Sleep is more deeply connected to bipolar disorder than you might think. Our bodies have a natural sleep-wake cycle. Research has shown that many people with bipolar disorder have a genetic defect in this cycle.

This is a very dangerous cycle.

1. Worrying about not being able to sleep.

2. That worry is making me lose sleep.

3. When sleep is lost for several days, the brain becomes hyperactive and enters a state of mania.

4. When you enter a state of mania, your need for sleep decreases even more. You have more energy, and you can work and talk continuously.

This is called "social rhythm disruption." When things like sleeping, eating, and working at regular times of the day are disrupted, it directly affects the parts of the brain that control mood.

If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, be sure to talk to your doctor about it. Your doctor can recommend non-addictive, safe sleep medications, as well as treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you overcome your fears and anxieties about sleep.