When we can see our family in ourselves, it’s easy to wonder what else we might have inherited from them, particularly when it comes to our mental health.
We may see them managing their condition and wonder if we’ll need to do the same. Especially when dealing with a complex and often misunderstood diagnosis like bipolar disorder, the looming question of whether it’s been passed onto you or not can be unsettling.
When armed with knowledge and proactive strategies, it doesn’t have to be.
In this detailed article, we’ll uncover the potential role genes play, the other risk factors, and the implications of both.
Like many mental health conditions, bipolar disorder results from a mix of genetic and environmental influences. The fact that the biological children or siblings of those with bipolar disorder are much more likely to develop it themselves suggests there’s a genetically linked component to the condition.
However, this doesn't mean bipolar disorder is directly ‘inherited’ in the way eye color or hair texture might be. Instead, what is passed down are genetic variants that can make you more predisposed to developing the disorder.
The average risk for bipolar disorder has typically been reported to be around 1%, though recent estimates are as high as 4%. However, having a first-degree relative, such as a biological parent or sibling, with the condition can increase your risk.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, having one parent with bipolar disorder increases one’s risk by a range of 15% to 30%. When both parents are affected by the disorder, the risk increases to a range of 50% to 75%.
This means that it is fairly heritable, but bipolar disorder can also be influenced by other risk factors, which is why people can be diagnosed without having a family history.
If you have a genetic predisposition, it doesn't automatically mean you will develop the condition; however, having that family history does make it essential for you to watch for the symptoms of bipolar disorder so you can manage it if it does develop.
It could look like the disorder skipped a generation because not everyone who carries the genes will show symptoms. The genetic expression or combination of genes that contribute to the disorder could remain dormant or not expressed.
What this means: Theoretically, a person can have a genetic predisposition to bipolar disorder without it seeming like they have any affected relatives in their immediate family.
Additionally, bipolar disorder can be misdiagnosed, as its symptoms overlap with other mental health conditions, complicating its diagnosis early in its course, which is also why it could initially appear to skip a generation.
The short answer is no. Even though researchers have found some specific genes that might be involved, there's no single ‘bipolar gene’ responsible for the disorder.
The bottom line: Its development stems from a complex interplay between numerous genes and environmental influences.
A combination of minor variations in multiple genes is believed to contribute to an individual's overall risk.
There are a broad set of risk factors that go beyond genetics. The genetic aspects of bipolar disorder don't act in isolation — they’re constantly interacting with many environmental elements and other neurological factors.
A history of severe head injury has been associated with an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder, suggesting that brain structure or brain function abnormalities might play a role in the disorder's onset.
Also, brain-related conditions, such as epilepsy, often occur alongside bipolar disorder and can be passed down in families.
Our genes can interact with the impacts of our environment in ways that can affect our mental health. People might inherit genes that make them more likely to be affected by stress or more prone to substance misuse.
This can make it hard to predict who will develop bipolar disorder, but it also provides avenues for preventing expression or minimizing the impact of the disorder by considering environmental factors.
Traumatic events
Experiencing severe trauma can affect one’s mental health.
Traumatic life events, particularly in early life, can have a gene-environment interaction, influencing changes in the structure and function of the brain over time.
Research suggests a connection between childhood trauma and experiences of bipolar disorder that are early onset and more severe later in life.
What you can do: Engaging in therapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), provides strategies for coping with emotional distress and trauma, helping lessen the impact of this type of environmental factor.
Substance use
Substance misuse and bipolar disorder often occur together, influenced by both genetics and environment. The relationship between them is two-way: substance use can increase the risk of developing bipolar disorder and can also result from it.
Genetic factors linked to the disorder might also make a person more prone to substance use disorders, and similarly, genes associated with addiction can increase the risk of bipolar disorder.
What you can do: If you have a family history of bipolar disorder or have been diagnosed, you should exercise caution regarding the use of substances. Support groups or therapy can help with coping with the urge to use substances.
Poor sleep
If your sleep patterns are off, it could be an early indication of emerging or destabilizing bipolar disorder.
While sleep disturbances are features of bipolar disorder, they may also contribute to its onset, especially when considering genetic predispositions.
What you can do: Keeping a regular sleep schedule is an important part of managing the condition.
Tense relationships
Social relationships can have a profound impact on mental health, acting as either sources of support or stress. Examples of the latter include:
While these stressful social interactions don’t directly cause bipolar disorder, the stress could make someone with the disorder more vulnerable to experiencing emotional highs and lows and influence its manifestation and severity.
What you can do: Those at risk or in the process of managing the condition should prioritize supportive, relaxed social environments.
Digging into how genetic and environmental factors play a role in bipolar disorder gives you a chance to take control. Knowing if you have a hereditary risk of bipolar disorder can be crucial in identifying and managing it early. Early detection allows for both preventive steps and lifestyle changes that may make symptoms less intense and episodes easier to handle, or could potentially delay the onset of the disorder.
Explore more: 10 Things to Know About Bipolar Disorder
Being aware of the genetic risk factors of bipolar disorder also sets you up to take a proactive approach to mental health, including going to therapy, participating in routine screenings, and adopting healthy habits like managing stress and exercising regularly. Being hands-on early helps manage the potential impact of bipolar disorder symptoms and empowers you to take control of your mental wellness, enhancing your overall well-being.
Whether you’ve been diagnosed or think there’s a likelihood you could develop bipolar disorder due to family history, personalized care is of the utmost importance.
Recognizing that your mental health experiences are unique, we're here to support you with flexibility, compassion, and the specialized care you deserve. We offer online access to licensed therapists and prescribers, all from the comfort of your own home. Our highly rated mental health professionals can help you with concerns about hereditary risks, understanding the signs and symptoms of bipolar, coping strategies for environmental stressors, or bipolar symptom management.
If you or a loved one have concerns about bipolar disorder, including its potential hereditary factors, consider reaching out to one of Cerebral’s mental health specialists to begin the conversation on your terms.
Images via shurkin_son, drobotdean, and andreas on Freepik.
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