Familial factors

What is familial risk and bipolar disorder?

Many disorders are the result of interaction between susceptibility genes and environmental influences. One example is cardiovascular disease; people with a family history of cardiovascular disease are more susceptible to heart problems, and environmental influences, such as diet, can increase this risk. Bipolar disorder is also a complex disorder that can arise from both genetic and environmental influences.

What is the evidence for familial risk?

Moderate to low quality evidence suggests a medium-sized increased risk of bipolar disorder in the offspring of people with bipolar disorder. There were also small effects of increased risk of depressive, anxiety, disruptive, substance use and attention-hyperactivity deficit disorders.

October 2021

Image: ©adimas – stock.adobe.com

Last updated at: 10:48 pm, 28th October 2021
To view documentation related to this topic download the files below
Fact Sheet Technical Commentary

NeuRA Libraries

Title Colour Legend:
Green - Topic summary is available.
Orange - Topic summary is being compiled.
Red - Topic summary has no current systematic review available.