Bipolar Disorder: A Brief Literature Review of Diagnostic Issues, Epidemiology, and Potential Causes

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a complex mental disorder that has multiple modes of causality. In this brief review, we used PubMed and Google Scholar databases to conduct an analysis that focuses on the epidemiology, genetics, aberrant developmental processes, environmental influences, and diagnostic criteria of BD. Diagnosis of BD is often associated with several psychiatric disorders. SNPs located in genes, such as CACNA1C and ODZ4 identified by several studies are potential contributors to the etiology of BD. Aberrant neurodevelopmental processes, such as the brain sulcation are shown to be different between the subtypes of BD. Environmental influences including life stressors, substance misuse, smoking, influenza, and the current COVID-19 pandemic have also played a substantial role in individuals developing BD. The goal of this manuscript is to educate the public on current research of possible etiologies and casual factors of BD. This study can be used by others in the science community as a guide for the signs, symptoms, causes, and therapeutic care of BD.