Can childhood trauma cause bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder, like most other mental health disorders, is considered to be influenced by a collection of factors, including environmental and genetic factors. Researchers are still working to fully understand biological markers and the genes associated with bipolar disorder and how this influences its development. What researchers are sure of is that childhood trauma contributes.

The term ‘childhood trauma’ encompasses any event a child finds threatening. Still, researchers have identified a list of Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACES that are a good tool for understanding what may be considered traumatic or a significant risk factor for having experienced childhood trauma. ACES generally fall into one of three categories, which are abuse, neglect, or household dysfunction. ACES include:

• Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
• Physical or emotional neglect
• Mental illness within the immediate family
• Divorce
• Witnessing domestic violence
• Substance abuse within the immediate family
• Having an immediate family member incarcerated

ACES are very common. Around 61% of adults report at least one type of ACE, and 1 in 6 people report experiencing four or more types of ACES. These aren’t the only experiences that may result in trauma for children. Experiencing a natural disaster, car accident, losing a loved one, bullying, and other events can result in childhood trauma.

Childhood traumas are risk factors for developing bipolar disorders and an increased severe presentation of its symptoms. Experiencing early trauma causes changes in the ability to regulate emotions and impulses. It also interferes with cognitive functioning and may decrease a person’s ability to cope with stressors later in life.

Childhood traumatic experiences impact biology by way of increasing inflammation and causing sleep disturbances, which contribute to physiological problems that can, in turn, cause more severe or ongoing symptoms. For example, chronic activation of the stress response due to trauma creates inflammation that may strain the cardiovascular system. Disturbed sleep can lead to a poorer ability to regulate or soothe one’s own mood.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder may vary but can include:

• Symptoms of depression
• Mania
• Hypomania
• Combined presentation of these symptoms

How symptoms present determines what type of bipolar disorder is being experienced and helps professionals tailor treatment options to best suit the person.

Exposure to trauma in childhood isn’t a ‘sentence’ for later experiencing bipolar disorder. There are protective factors children can experience, such as a supportive family, access to an extended positive support system, and access to mental health care. If you are experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder, visit your medical or mental health care provider for diagnosis and treatment. If you’re concerned about your child’s exposure to traumatic events, talk with their pediatrician.