Bipolar Disorder – Environmental And Other Triggers

If I didn’t know better, I would mistake bipolar disorder for the multiple personality disorder. However I do know better, and I see that there is more than a fine line between the two, although a layman may not be too sharp about it.

Multiple personality or dissociative identity disorder is psychiatric or psychological disorder that is typically associated with childhood trauma, in which you appear to have two or more distinct personalities that are present at different times and dominate your behavior. Bipolar or bipolar affective disorder is however different. When you suffer from bipolar, you tend to be very conscious of whom you are but you can’t do anything about your switch of extreme moods.

When you have bipolar disorder, you are either manic or depressed most of the time, often switching between both phases repeatedly depending on how severe your suffering is, sometimes with episodes of normal functioning in between. However, rather than this latter condition to be caused by childhood trauma, as is the dissociative identity disorder, evidence shows that genetic factors are chiefly responsible for it.

After a lot of experiments have been carried out over time, especially using fraternal and identical twin subjects, and several cases of adoptive children as well, it has been proven that when you parent suffers or suffered from any kind of depression at all, you are likely to suffer depression as well. Many times, the condition also manifests itself in the form of bipolar disorder.

Also, various experiences that you had when you were younger, such as some deep loss or physical abuse can cause you to suffer from bipolar disorder. These are referred to as environmental factors that can cause bipolar disorder.

Any kind of occupational or professional stress, or some kind of nervous tension of personal origin could trigger various episodes of mania or depression in someone suffering from bipolar disorder. But I would not go so far as to call these causes of bipolar disorder; merely triggers. Added to this, there are people who may get manic or depressive over childhood experiences and social conditions.

I will admit that prenatal development may also have an effect, but it is not considered to be too serious by many healthcare professionals, especially since it is something that is rather common in a lot of women. The type of bipolar disorder that is caused by changes in season is considered to be another condition entirely as well – Seasonal Affective Disorder, SAD; and it is treated likewise.

The foregoing clearly shows how there may be a small relation between bipolar disorder and dissociative identity disorder – the childhood experience thing. However, bipolar disorder is distinct in the fact that the main cause of it is genetics. Therefore in treating bipolar disorder, you should see that your child/friend/loved one/patient gets the appropriate treatment that they need. Treating the wrong thing would totally be harmful to them.