An unhealthy social environment can also trigger episodes of manic depression. As the person avoids socializing, while keeping everything to him/herself, may also trigger episodes of bipolar disorder.

Excessive intake of caffeine may interfere with one’s ability to get proper sleep and rest, and this can result in the triggering of bipolar disorder in people who are already at risk.

Thyroid malfunction and non-psychiatric medications used to treat them can also react in some people triggering bipolar disorder.

An imbalance of the natural occurring hormones in our body can also trigger bipolar disorder. These hormones are also responsible for the release of mind altering serotonin and other chemicals, and can affect neurotransmitter levels in the brain.

Medications like antidepressants may play a role in triggering manic episodes in people who are at risk of developing bipolar disorder. So, depression in such people must be treated carefully, especially those who often get maniac episodes, as these antidepressant medications can harm more than they can help. It can be prevented by taking anti-manic drugs.

Alcoholism has similar effects to that of illicit drugs in terms of what they do to a person. It alters the neurological pathways of a person suffering from the bipolar disorder, which can seriously hinder the ability of a person to treat it as their behavior can become intolerant, intrusive, or aggressive. Perhaps, they may even end up feeling out of control and hurting themselves.

Even though substance abuse is not entirely considered as the only cause of bipolar disorder, it may play the role of stimulant that can worsen the illness by limiting the chances of successful recovery. Illicit drugs like Ecstasy (also known as designer drugs), cocaine, and amphetamines can alter a person’s ability to get out of a mood related illness, and instead drive him/her deeper into depression and maniac behavior.

A life event can also trigger an episode of mood altering experience, which can lead to the bipolar disorder if a person already has a genetic disposition towards bipolar disorder. This can also affect people who go through an emotionally painful phase of life, which can be in the form of physical abuse, lack of emotional support from friends and family, and many other factors.

This is probably the most common factor that results in bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder can be familial in nature, which means that it can run in a family. It has been seen that about half the people who have bipolar disorder tend to have a family member with a similar disorder related to mood, such as depression. If a person has either parent suffering from bipolar disorder, then he may have get affected too.