In fact, it has been found that the closer you are related to the person who has the disorder, the more likely you are to develop it. That also means that your chance of developing it decreases the more distantly related you are.

However, it does not mean that you will necessarily develop the disorder if someone in the family has it. While it will most likely run in the family, it can also happen in people without any family history. It appears that genetic can only offer part of the answer.

Scientists have pinned down the genes causing bipolar disorder to chromosomes 22 and 13. If you really want to know, schizophrenia is also attributed to the same genes. Presently, there is no tests that can tell who will or who will not develop bipolar.

That said, if you believe you have a higher risk for developing bipolar, you should make efforts to keep away from drugs, alcohol and undue stress. This is because other factors like environment, drugs and stress can also come into the picture.

Drugs, for example, have been known to cause symptoms of bipolar disorder. Stimulants can set off a manic episode while drugs like cocaine can trigger off mania or even depression. Studies have shown that people who are already predisposed to such disorder may trigger off these psychotic symptoms unknowingly.

Now that you know what are some likely bipolar disorder causes, it would do you alot of good to know more about bipolar disorder.