Have you heard that someone in your family or a friend has bipolar disorder ? Or maybe you are looking into it yourself. Sudden extremes of happiness and activity (we call this mania), followed by a few days of extreme sadness and boredom (depression)... This type of mood swing is the nature of this illness. One thing that many people ask is, "Why is this happening?" There really is no one simple answer to this. Even doctors don't fully understand it yet. However, with new research, we now have a better understanding of some of the main factors that affect it. Let's talk about it today.
The connection between the brain and bipolar disorder
To understand this, we first need to know a little about how our brains work. The nerve cells in our brain communicate with each other, that is, exchange messages, using special chemicals . We call these neurotransmitters. Just like a postman delivering letters, these chemical messengers control many things, including our emotions, thoughts, sleep, and appetite.
Experts believe that a major cause of bipolar disorder is a problem with the functioning of these chemical messengers and the brain circuits that control them. Three chemical messengers are discussed here.
| Chemical messenger (Neurotransmitter) | A simple explanation of how it works |
|---|---|
| Norepinephrine | It is very important for regulating our mood. This chemical has been found to be directly linked to mental health conditions like depression and bipolar disorder. |
| Serotonin | This is like a 'supervisor'. It affects many things, including sleep, wakefulness, appetite, sexual activity, and memory. Imbalances in its functioning can lead to mood disorders. |
| Dopamine | This chemical is what makes us feel happy, satisfied, and excited. Problems in the brain circuits involved in this can be linked to severe mental conditions such as psychosis, where we lose touch with reality. |
Simply put, we can think of bipolar as a condition caused by an imbalance in this chemical messaging system in the brain.
Is this something that comes from generations? (Genetic link)
Yes, the answer to this question is, "Mostly yes." Bipolar disorder runs in families. For example, if someone in your family has diabetes or high blood pressure, we know that you are at a slight risk of developing those conditions. That's the same thing with this one. But that doesn't mean that a child will definitely develop it just because the mother or father had it. But the risk is higher.
- Twin studies: The best evidence for this comes from studies of identical twins. These studies have shown that if one twin has bipolar disorder, the other twin is 40% to 70% more likely to develop it than a normal sibling.
- Family studies: Research has also shown that children of parents with bipolar disorder are more likely to develop this disorder or another mental illness (e.g., major depression , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)).
The important thing is that just because someone in your family has bipolar disorder doesn't mean you will develop it, it just means you have a genetic predisposition.
How do our environment and lifestyle affect this?
Here's a very important point. Just because you have genes doesn't mean you'll get the disease. Think of it like a ball on a wall. Someone has to push it to get it to fall. Similarly, even if there is a genetic predisposition to develop bipolar, it needs to be "triggered" by some push from the external environment and our lifestyle.
What are these 'push' or 'environmental reasons '?
- Severe stress: Traumatic life events such as the death of a loved one, job loss, or divorce can trigger the onset of this disease.
- Childhood experiences: Think of a child growing up with a mother or father who has untreated bipolar disorder. There is constant fighting at home, emotional instability, and perhaps physical or mental abuse... Such a stressful environment can be a strong cause for the disease to emerge in a child with a genetic predisposition.
- Drug and alcohol use : Drug and alcohol addiction further disrupts brain chemistry, making symptoms unmanageable and less responsive to treatment.
Does insomnia make symptoms worse?
Absolutely yes. There is a very strong connection between sleep and bipolar. Many people with bipolar disorder have sleep problems.
Think about it this way. If someone with a genetic predisposition to bipolar disorder doesn't get enough sleep for a couple of days, their brain activity can change, leading to a state of hyperactivity and excitement (mania). The problem is, once they're in mania, they don't feel the need to sleep anymore. Then they sleep more, which makes the mania worse. It's like a vicious cycle.
There is also something called 'social rhythm disruption'. Simply put, this means that our daily routine changes. For example, if someone who goes to bed and wakes up at the same time every day suddenly has to work late at night or has to stay up all night due to an exam, it disrupts the body's biological clock . Research has found that such changes are a strong cause of mood swings (mood swings) in bipolar disorder.
So, if you or someone you know is having trouble falling or staying asleep, don't ignore it. Be sure to talk to your doctor about it. There are now good, non-addictive sleep medications available. Also, therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be very helpful in overcoming sleep anxiety and developing good sleep habits.
Take-Home Message
- Bipolar disorder does not have a single cause. It is a complex condition caused by a combination of genes, brain chemicals, and environmental factors .
- This condition can be hereditary. But just because someone in your family has it doesn't mean you will develop it. It's just a risk.
- Things like severe stress, traumatic events, and drug use can trigger or worsen the disease.
- Sleep is extremely important. Sleep disorders, especially those that cause mania, can have a major impact on mood. So, maintain a routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
- If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, please don't suffer alone. See a qualified doctor as soon as possible for advice. Early diagnosis and treatment can help you live a successful life.
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