Question 1

is bipolar disorder hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Genetics: Bipolar disorder has been found to have some hereditary basis. This doesn't mean that there is a 100% chance that the offsoring of someone with bipolar d/o will enx up with it as well, but rather there is more likelihood as compared to the general population. I believe bipolar d/ o is now the 2nd highezt of mental d/o, being surpassed by adhd.

Question 2

have twin studies shown that bipolar disorder is hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The disorder is highly heritable. Estimates of the genetic component to the heritability range from 60 to 85 percent.

Question 3

is bipolar disorder something inherited from parents?

Accepted Answer

Yes: For bipolar disorder, children who have one parent with the illness have a 15% risk of developing the disorder. Those who have two parents with bipolar have about a 50% risk. For depression, if someone has a parent or sibling with major depression, that person probably has a 2 or 3 times greater risk of developing the illness compared with the average person (or around 20-30% instead of 10%).

Question 4

what causes bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Multifactorial: Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder. It's origin can be multifactorial, genetics plays a big role into it, so having a  family member with bipolar disorder or other mood disorder puts you at a increase risk compared to the general population. Other things like biological factors such as history of drugs can presipitate bipolar like symptoms.

Question 5

have bipolar disorder a test?

Accepted Answer

History: No lab or radiologic test, nor physical exam, can test for bipolar. Perhaps one day as there are strong indications it is a brain condition with a genetic background. But for now, it's a patient's history of modd changes, cognition and behavior that makes the diagnosis. In truth, this method works quite well, having been refined since antiquity.

Question 6

can kids get bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes, most patients start bipolar disorder in childhood.  The earlier a child is treated, the less likely the child will continue on to have bipolar symptoms in adulthood. See: http://www.Thebalancedmind.Org/  also see the great book by janet wozniak, md "is your child bipolar?".

Question 7

how to manage bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Treating bipolar : Successful management of bipolar disorder involved medication as indicated, avoiding alcohol and substance use, good sleep habits, and regular exercise.

Question 8

what can cause bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Multifactorial: As with many medical conditions the causes of bipolar disorder are not fully know. It is believed they are polygenetic, with multiple genes interacting resulting in some degree of vulnerability or resistance to the condition. This biology then interacts with environmental factors, both positive and negative which can have different effects based upon when in life or how many/often they occur.

Question 9

how is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

Accepted Answer

Clinical exam: Although in the future we may have blood tests or functional MRI scans that can diagnose the disorder, for now the only way to diagnose bipolar is to see a counselor or doctor who can diagnose the condition based on history and exam.

Question 10

what is atypical bipolar disorder?

Accepted Answer

Bipolar disorder : That cannot be classified into any of the mood disorder categories of dsm-v, but which clearly has manic components as necessary for the diagnosis and likely depressive components as well. Psychosis may or may not be present. A full manic or hypomanic episode has not occurred but in the clinicians judgment the condition is a mood disorder of a cyclical nature and therefore it is seen as not having full component of symptoms necessary for the full bipolar diagnosis. Of interest however is that atypical bipolar disorder is actually more common than the more classic bipolar disorder subtypes.

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Is bipolar disorder hereditary

A member asked:

Is bipolar disorder hereditary?

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Have twin studies shown that bipolar disorder is hereditary?

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Is bipolar disorder something inherited from parents?

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What causes bipolar disorder?

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Have bipolar disorder a test?

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Can kids get bipolar disorder?

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How to manage bipolar disorder?

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What can cause bipolar disorder?

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How is bipolar disorder diagnosed?

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What is atypical bipolar disorder?

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