Protracted anxiety or distress
People who experience traumatic and stressful formative events are also more likely to develop bipolar disorder at some point in their lives. As a result of their genetic susceptibility, individuals who experience prolonged stress are more likely to develop manic and depressive episodes of bipolar disorder. Stressful events, such as the death of a loved one, a rape, or a dismissal, can cause a person to experience abrupt or extreme mood shifts.
