1. Understand the Biology
At its roots, bipolar disorder is a malfunctioning of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. The malfunction may happen spontaneously, seemingly on its own, if there's a genetic tendency to bipolar disorder in your family. It can also be triggered by external events. The neurotransmitters that are affected by bipolar disorder carry feel-good chemicals to and from your brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrin. It's still unclear to medical researchers just how the malfunction occurs or how it operates, but current research is bringing them closer to the truth. Anti-depressant medication, which is often prescribed for bipolar disorder, is supposed to correct the malfunction of the neurotransmitters. However, medication for bipolar disorder is still largely guesswork, as researchers aren't sure exactly how many of the current anti-depressants really work.
2. Check Your Environment
Environmental conditions may play a part in some cases of bipolar disorder. Although it rarely happens, people who experience a severely stressful episode in their lives, such as a divorce, a traumatic move or other unpleasant event may develop bipolar disorder, especially if the genetic predisposition is already there. Long-term abuse can also trigger bipolar disorder in some people. Drug or alcohol addiction, chronic health problems and hormonal imbalances may also cause of bipolar disorder, though not everyone with these issues will develop the condition.
3. Examine Your Family Tree
Genetics may play a role in bipolar disorder, as it tends to run in families. If one of your parents has it, you have a 15- to 25-percent likelihood of getting it, too. Even if an ancestor had bipolar disorder but the condition didn't manifest for several generations, you may still carry a genetic susceptibility to it that could manifest itself without warning or after exposure to severe stress.
