A risk factor is something that increases your likelihood of getting a disease or condition.

It is possible to develop bipolar disorder with or without the risk factors listed below. However, the more risk factors you have, the greater your likelihood of developing bipolar disorder. If you have a number of risk factors, ask your healthcare provider what you can do to reduce your risk.

Risk factors for bipolar disorder include:

Genetic Factors

Bipolar disorder can run in families. There is a high likelihood that there is a genetic component to this disorder. Eighty to ninety percent of individuals with bipolar disorder have a relative with either depression or bipolar disorder.

Medications and Medical Conditions

Medications such as corticosteroids, medical conditions such as thyroid disease, and neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s syndrome may present with features of bipolar disorder. The diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made only when none of these conditions are present.

What's Related

• Risk Factors for Bipolar Disorder
• The Causes of Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression)
• What Causes Bipolar Disorder?
• Who Gets Bipolar Disorder?
• Talking to a Professional About Bipolar Disorder
• Talking to a Doctor About Bipolar Disorder
• What are the Risk Factors for Depression?
• Frequently Asked Questions about Bipolar Disorder
• An Introduction to Suicide
• What Is Bipolar Disorder?