Have you ever encountered someone whose mood swings leave you stunned? One moment the person may be talking very normally, while the next moment the person starts a tirade of abuses. The person may be suffering from bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a psychiatric disorder that is characterized by severe, unpredictable mood swings. This is also referred to as manic depressive disorder due to the alternating moods of mania and depression.

The mania and depression episodes may last for a few hours to a few days. In some cases, the cycles last up to several weeks or months. The American Psychiatric Association classifies bipolar disorder into four types: Bipolar I disorder, bipolar II disorder, cyclothymic disorder, and bipolar disorder due to other medical conditions.

Causes of bipolar disorder
There is a clear understanding of what causes bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder could be a genetic disease. Many patients of bipolar disorder are known to have relatives affected by the same. Studies conducted at John Hopkins University revealed that 40% of the 47 first-degree relatives of those affected with bipolar I and bipolar II disorder were also affected by the same condition. Also, a child with parents affected by bipolar disorder is likely to develop the condition.

Medical research suggests that bipolar disorder could be caused by the malfunctioning of certain brain circuits and neurotransmitters. Noradrenaline and serotonin are brain chemicals that are associated with psychiatric disorders. Dopamine is another brain chemical that regulates the nerve pathways within the brain. These three brain chemicals are mainly associated with mental disorders such as bipolar disorder.

Risk factors of bipolar disorder
Although there are no specific risks linked with bipolar disorder, there are certain factors that may be viewed as strong influences that may lead to the development of the disorder such as::

Family history : Having a first degree relative such as a parent or sibling increases the likelihood of developing the disease. Also, having a family history of the disorder increases the likelihood of developing the disease.

Having other mental disorders : People affected by other psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, or hysteria are more likely to develop this disorder. When certain psychiatric conditions go untreated or unnoticed, the patient may slowly develop symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Faulty neurochemical compositions : Dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin have been identified as brain chemicals that play a key role in the development of bipolar disorder. High levels of noradrenaline may cause episodes of mania, while low levels of it may lead to depression.

Social and environmental factors : Social factors such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, substance abuse, high-stress levels, loss of a dear one, prolonged physical illness, failure at work or school, unsuccessful relationships, and hormonal imbalances also lead to the development of bipolar disorder and other psychiatric problems.

Alternating periods of highs (mania) and lows (depression) are typical of bipolar disorder. The bipolar spectrum encompasses elated highs of mania to the lows of major depression. In between these extreme moods, there are varied mood states.