Bipolar Disorder Research - Recent Revelations Of Medical Science

Bipolar Disorder is better known by its former name, Manic Depression; a mental illness where a person manifest mood swings which presents itself in cycles where one switches between depressed, manic and a normal mood. In the U.S.A. over two percent of people are known to suffer from this illess, where thirty percent of all hospitilisations are for psychiatric patients in a single year.

Psychiatrists and psychologists have not come up with the actual cause of Bipolar Disorder as of yet. Researches have, however, made steady progress in understanding the brain and how it functions, the actual causes of many mental illness including Bipolar Disorder. This illness is currently understood to be caused by many factors which include biological, emotional, environmental and physical reasons.

It has been discovered that some bipolar patients have additional brain cells which is one theory for a biological cause. Research shows that those with Bipolar had thirty percent more brain cells which send signals to others than is normal. There is still speculation as to whether it is the brain cells which are responsible for regulating our moods, our responses to pleasure and also our responses to stress.

The disorder tends to run in families, although some that are diagnosed have no family history of the illness. This points to the nature of hereditary as being one of the causes of this mentall illness, so genetics could actually be a cause.

What has received lots of attention is the neurotransmitter system as being one of the causes of Bipolar Disorder. For decades, researchers have shown a link between neurotransmitters and mood disorders. A chemical imbalance in the brain of these neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine and seratonin, that is any high or low levels can create this disorder. When an imbalance in levels between other neurotransmitters occurs this creates sensitivity or illness. This imbalance is also known to be hereditary.

Psychologists widely believe that the biological causes which trigger bipolar only makes a person more prone and increases the likelihood of getting disorder, and not necessary cause it. Once a person comes across situations such as environmental factors, a sudden tragedy or a difficult childhood, which could trigger the illness, the biological tendencies come into action and Bipolar develops. Such triggers could be from child abuse, rape, sexual abuse, a death in the family, being in a controlling relationship, or living in violent environment. Mood cycling in relation to Bipolar Disorder works in the same way. Triggers from emotional situations, the environment, stress or tragic circumstances could start mood changes between manic and depressive episodes.

Alcohol and drug abuse can be a cause of this illness, as the effects can trigger mood changes. These cases are difficult for a doctor to determine when the actual bipolar started, whether it was before or after the abuse. When someone suffers from a mood disorder they may turn to alcohol or drugs to get rid of these bad feelings - they can escape from it all. Continuous research is done to find answers and infomation which can be collated from areas like genetics, neurology, psychology and psychiatry so we can gain more knowledge about all the mental illness including Bipolar. Technology is always advancing so it may soon come to light, the answers to all these theories. Until then we must wait for an answer so that better and more successful treatment becomes available, and maybe, even a cure.