Bipolar disorder is described as a chronic brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in mood, energy and/or activity levels. A person with bipolar disorder may be extremely happy and energetic one minute and severely sad and tired the next, according to the Family First Aid. A combination of biology, genetics and environmental stressors may trigger a manic or depressive episode, but the exact causes of teenage bipolar disorder are unknown.
Genes
Multiple genes have been linked to the development of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder tends to run in families, suggesting that it is hereditary, according to the website Healthy Place. Teenagers who have at least one parent or sibling with bipolar disorder are more likely to get the disorder than those who do not have a family history of it. In addition, the genes associated with bipolar disorder have also been linked to other disorders such as schizophrenia, epilepsy and panic disorder, suggesting that teens that have these medical conditions are also at risk of developing bipolar disorder.
Abnormal Brain Circuitry
Bipolar Disorder usually emerges during adolescence, suggesting that abnormal brain circuitry contributes to the onset and development of the disorder. It has been suggested that the brain undergoes several changes during adolescence that can trigger bipolar disorder in teens predisposed to it.
The Dana Foundation states that teenagers with bipolar disorder usually have a small amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions. The small amygdala causes these teens to be overly emotional in situations where it is not warranted. In addition, it has been suggested that the size of the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that regulates emotions, decreases during adolescence in teens with bipolar disorder.
Environmental Stressors
Environmental stressors may play a role in the development of bipolar disorder in teens that have a predisposition for the condition. The website Teens Health states that stresses such as losing a loved one, a parents' divorce, child abuse and/or substance abuse can contribute to a teen's first bipolar episode. In some cases, puberty or a hormonal imbalance can trigger bipolar disorder in females who are predisposed to it. In addition, teens who abuse alcohol or drugs may be more prone to develop bipolar disorder than those who do not use illegal substances.
