Dear Taylor,

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that is characterized by significant shifts in mood. It usually includes periods of depression as well as manic or highly irritable mood. When properly diagnosed, bipolar disorder is usually treated with medication and psychotherapy. Many people feel that bipolar disorder is currently being overly diagnosed, particularly in children and adolescents. After all, what adolescent isn’t moody from time to time? Careful diagnosis by a mental health professional is important to determine if the diagnosis is accurate.

There has been a lot of scientific research into the causes of bipolar disorder. There does seem to be a genetic link. Studies of twins have found that, if one twin has bipolar disorder, there is a 70 to 80 percent chance that the other twin will develop the disorder. It is estimated that, if you have one parent who has the disorder, there is a 15 to 30 percent chance that you will develop it as well. If both parents have bipolar disorder, the chances increase to 50 to 75 percent. There is still a lot more research that needs to be done, and it is unclear how much of an influence environment plays as well. We also know that significant stress, as well as substance abuse, can trigger these symptoms.

In your case, it is more likely that you will not develop bipolar disorder because the chances of inheriting it are between 15 and 30 percent. This means that there is a 70 to 85 percent chance that you won’t. If you are worried that you may have the symptoms of bipolar disorder, consider talking to a licensed mental health professional who can assess your situation and let you know if you need to be concerned. Your school counselor can help you identify resources in your community.