Bi-polar, becoming an epidemic

Bi-polar, like many other forms of depression is more commonly diagnosed these days, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it is any more common. Additionally, although it is supposed to be hereditary, it doesn't mean that everyone necessarily has it, or at least has a milder case that may not have been diagnosed. I'm not saying that you or another family member have it, just that it is possible. Also, someone who is bi-polar can appear perfectly normal and go undiagnosed for a very long time, and sometimes they won't get diagnosed at all unless there is a reason for a professional to suspect that they may have it.

Bipolar is a real problem; but right now it is being "overdiagnosed" and "misdiagnosed". Parents and teachers are saying the child must be bipolar because he was laughing and happy one minute and crying the next. Children's emotions do change easily and if the adult was to take the time to find out why the child was laughing and then crying they might be surprised to find th echild had a good reason. Maybe they were laughing with a friend and then found out the friend was going to have to move away! That would make any child's emotions change. Just like ADD/ADHD when it was first being diagnosed, it is the "Mental Illness of the Month". Real bipolar disorder can destroy a person's life. They think it may be genetic; but, they don't really know. With all of the chemicals in our foods, beverages, toiletries, cleaning products, etc.; I would not be surprised if one or more of them does not cause or make this condition worse.

I think people need to help themselves, not look for something to blame.

The tendency toward mental illness does have a genetic component, it is related to the chemical processes in the brain. Some people are born with a tendency to develop mental illness (or other types of physical illness), and stress is often the trigger that sets it off.

Scientist currently believe that it is brought on my a combination of genetic and environmental factors.