What are the risk factors for bipolar disorder?
Scientists are studying the possible causes of bipolar disorder. Most agree that
there is no single cause. Rather, many factors likely act together to produce the
illness or increase risk for developing it.
Genetics
Bipolar disorder tends to run in families. Some research has suggested that
people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder than others.14
Children with a parent or sibling who has bipolar disorder are much more likely to
develop the illness, compared with children who do not have a family history of
bipolar disorder.15 However, most children with a family history of bipolar disorder
will not develop the illness.