Environmental factors in Bipolar Disorder
A life event may trigger a mood episode in a person with a
genetic disposition for bipolar disorders. Even without clear
genetic factors, altered health habits, alcohol or drug abuse or
hormonal problems can trigger an episode. Among those at
risk for the illness, bipolar disorder is appearing at
increasingly early ages. This apparent increase in earlier
occurrences may be due to under diagnosis of the disorder in
the past. This change in the age of onset may be a result of
social and environmental factors that are not yet understood.
Although substance abuse is not considered a cause of bipolar
disorder, it can worsen the illness by interfering with
recovery. Use of alcohol or tranquilizers may induce a more
severe depressive phase. While the onset of bipolar disorder
may be linked to a stressful life event, it is unlikely that stress
itself is a cause of bipolar disorder. Notwithstanding this,
people who suffer from bipolar disorder often find it
beneficial to find ways of managing and reducing stress in
their lives (as do people without the disorder! Again - while
not a cause - seasonal factors appear to play a role in the
onset of bipolar disorder, with onset chance increasing in
spring. The rapid increase in hours of bright sunshine is
thought to trigger depression and mania by affecting the
pineal gland.