Is Bipolar Disorder an inherited disorder or is it caused by a traumatic event?

Question

I read this article on Wikipedia about "Ideas of Reference" as relating to Bipolar Disorders. It stated the following as quoted:

"Persons with ideas of reference may experience:
1- A feeling that people on television or radio are talking about or talking directly to them.
2- Believing that headlines or stories in newspapers are written especially for them.
3- Having the experience that people (often strangers) drop hints or say things about them behind their back.
4- Believing that events (even world events) have been deliberately contrived for them, or have special personal significance for them.
5- Seeing objects or events as being set up deliberately to convey a special or particular meaning.
6- Thinking persons or groups of persons are plotting against them and that precautions must be taken to avert the threat".

I believe my wife is experiencing many of these traits. Her mother suffers from Bipolar Disorder and was in a horrible car accident in her 20's. My wife has tried to help her and get help for her but it is very difficult.

Although we are in the midst of a possibly ugly divorce, I can't believe I didn't notice this before. At different times, my wife has been obsessed about several different movie stars and believes to have had contact with them. Tom Cruise, Mike Myers, and now Leo Dicaprio. She has told me that she believes the folks use fake internet names and contact her on her chat program. Now while I admit that this is totally possible, it is even more that unlikely. So now she just thinks I think she is nuts. I believe she thinks Leo is in love with her and that is the basis of our divorce since she will only tell me that she just simply doesnt love me anymore.

My question I am asking, is this an inherited disorder that could be affecting my wife? Will I have to worry about this for my children in the future? What can be done to help or am I just overthinking?

Answer 1

Bipolar is inherited and is not caused by trauma.

Answer 2

If one parent had bipolar, the chances of a biological child having it are about 1 in 5. The chance of major depression instead of bipolar is about 1 in 5. So there is significant risk that your children will inherit a mood disorder. Trauma is more likely to bring on the symptoms. In identical twin studies, if one twin has bipolar, the other has a 60% chance of getting it, so there is obviously an environmentl component too. a trauma history is very likely to make the bipolar more severe, too - sexual abuse and severe emotional abuse are serious problems & many of those folks have a very severe course of illness. Physical abuse doesn't seem to make the symptoms much worse, research shows.



Having delusions like this can be a symptom of mania or depression, doesn't have to be schizoaffective disorder, but it could be, not sure where docs draw the line. I think the issue is if a person has the delusions during times they aren't extremely manic or depressed, then it would be schizoaffective, but not positive. In mania, you should have noticed periods of time where she would sleep only a couple hours a night, be up in the middle of the night working on "important" projects, maybe drinking a lot, partying, talking way too much, getting angry a lot, being really creative, wanting a lot more sex than usual, spending money like crazy & things like that (not necessarily all of them). If she doesn't get this, it's not bipolar, but something else, but still serious, obviously.



I would talk to her other family members about this if you are able to, since your marriage is ending. Perhaps a sister or brother can work with her mom on getting her help. What is the problem here is called "lack of insight" into her illness - she doesn't realize she is sick.



All the best

Answer 3

Unfortunately there is no way of knowing whether your daughters will have bipolar disorder. The reality is that they are at an increased risk, as studies have shown. Environment can also play a factor and studies have shown that people who use substances and have an underlying risk to get a mental illness, are more likely to get a mental illness. So the best thing you can teach your daughters is to tell them when they are older (say 12 or 13) about how substance use can increase the risk of getting mental illness, and that they are particularly at risk because of the mental health conditions in your family. You want to emphasise to them that ultimately what they do is their decision, but they are at risk for some negative consequences if they choose to experiment. The reason why I am emphasising the substance use point is that it is one thing that they can have control over. In all my years of training, I can see that substance has resulted in some people getting mental illness and possibly they would not have if they never touched substances (although there would have been an underlying risk there). Being healthy is also important.

Answer 4

it is thought be genetic as there are some strong links as evidence of it, however it is also thought that whilst some carry the trait if you like, people can remain well and a traumatic life event can trigger the illness. It doesn't mean that your children will definitely suffer from bipolar if that is what your wife suffers from but it may be worth being aware of the signs and symptoms so you are prepared and will be able to step in at an early stage should they develop bipolar. Also it does sound like your wife is having ideas of reference and possibly erotomania where someone believes that another person loves them.

Answer 5

Bipolar is generally seen to be a hereditary illness, and it is highly likely that if her mother suffers from it, then she most likely does too.



Delusions and ideation's a a common symptom of someone suffering at the severe end of BP1.



She needs to be seen to soon so that she can get the help and support that she needs.



As for whether your children get it or not is down to genetics and environment. They might carry the genes for BP, but never experience the symptoms, or they might start displaying symptoms early on. Trauma can be a major trigger for setting BP off (that's how I was diagnosed).



Take from this possiblity an insight that can be used for the future health of your children. Research and try to understand it as much as possible so that if/when you children present with symptoms of BP, you'll be more readily prepared to help them.



Good Luck

Answer 6

Bipolar is definitely a genetic trait but it is not necessarily carried on to the entire family. I have about five people in my family (both sides) who are bipolar. I got stuck with it and my sister is just fine! What your wife is experiencing now are delusions (living out of reality) and psychosis (living out of reality). If she has other symptoms of bipolar such as rapid speech, decrease in appetite, extreme mood changes, thoughts of suicide, being emotionally "high", grandiose ideas, etcl, then I would say she is schitzoaffective which is a combination of bipolar and schizophrenia. It doesn't mean she has both - it means that she has the symptoms of both disorders. There are really good antipsychotics out there. I take Seroquel and Abilify. The seroquel is sedating, however, the abilify is not and it works great. There are a lot of other ones too. I would take her to the doctor and explain what's been happening. The delusions are quite serious as she is not functioning in reality but has escaped within her mind to a fantasy world. God bless.

Answer 7

There are many initial causes, but in part it is made worse by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Therefore, there may be a genetic disposition, but it can also be triggered by substance abuse of one type or another. Trauma can also play a part, since traumatic experiences can affect the chemical balance of things like hormones or the production of endorphins, serotonin etc.



You must get professional advice, Answers users may mean well but we really aren't qualified to help. And others just post anything.



Wikipedia, while quick-reference, is not always a reliable source.

Answer 8

Bi Polar is not inherited, nor is it created from a traumatic event. You have nothing to worry about for your children in the future.

Bipolar is usually the result of depression that hasn't been seen too. Can be triggered by mood swings etc and creates many different moods for the person suffering every day.

Bipolar is VERY treatable!! If your wife contacts a doctor her 'moods' can be controlled. she would also need a course of therapy as it sounds like she is also having delusion's etc. I have treated and spoken with sufferers in the past and must admit this 'talking with actors' thing is something I have not heard of.

If the marriage is worth wanting to be saved by you both, seek the therapy, yourself also, as you can learn more through a therapist in regards to living with someone suffering bipolar.

I wish you both the best of luck and hope anything I have said helps a little.

If you wish to contact me then please feel free to do so.

Answer 9

its genetic, i dont know about the trauma part

Answer 10

It is genetic