Doctors do not know what causes bipolar disorder, but it is likely a combination of biochemical, genetic, and environmental factors.
Neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain) that may be associated with bipolar disorder include dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
Multiple genes, involving several chromosomes, have been linked to the development of bipolar disorder. Research increasingly indicates that bipolar disorder may also share genetic factors with other disorders,...
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The very fact that bipolar disorder has a history of being underdiagnosed may be sensitizing clinicians to avoid missing the diagnosis... Read more »
Shannon writes:“I feel so frustrated today. No one seems to want to answer my question; is this bipolar, or is the family history of... Read more »
Bite-sized chunks of information may be easier to digest, but they can only go so far in explaining often complex, sometimes contradictory... Read more »
Bipolar disorder symptoms are cyclic. Patient's cycle into manic episodes, then return to normal before cycling into a depressive episode. This... Read more »
The previous two installments discussed what happens in the brain when stress makes us sitting ducks for mental illness and other behaviors. But... Read more »
A story I heard about Lee Trevino goes something like this: The championship golfer needed to sink a crucial putt. At the critical moment, a train... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
AgeBipolar disorder usually first occurs between the ages of 15 - 30 years, with an average age of onset at 25 years. However, bipolar disorder can... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Manic depression; Bipolar affective disorderSymptomsThe manic phase may last from days to months. It can include the following symptoms:Easily... Read more »