Kindling Theory of Bipolar Disorder

The "kindling effect" or "kindling theory" of bipolar disorder is one of the proposed theories that explains bipolar disorder.

According to the "kindling" hypothesis, when people who are genetically predisposed toward bipolar disorder experience stressful events,  the amount of stress required to bring about a change in mood becomes progressively lower, until the episodes eventually start (and recur) spontaneously. 

The term kindling is appropriate because the process bears similarity to the process of setting a log on fire. On its own, a log is not quick to burn. However, by surrounding the log with more easily combustible materials, the log soon catches fire. Eventually, once the log has kindled, it will continuously burn without any help, and will be harder to put out. Source

Dr. Robert M. Post of the National Institute of Mental Health (USA) is credited with first applying the kindling model to bipolar disorder (NARSAD). Demitri and Janice Papolos, in their excellent book The Bipolar Child, describe this model as follows:

... initial periods of cycling may begin with an environmental stressor, but if the cycles continue or occur unchecked, the brain becomes kindled or sensitized - pathways inside the central nervous system are reinforced so to speak - and future episodes of depression, hypomania, or mania will occur by themselves (independently of an outside stimulus), with greater and greater frequency.

Thus, to put it simply, brain cells that have been involved in an episode once are more likely to do so again, and more cells will become sensitized over time. This theory has been borne out by some research observations. For example, "there is evidence that the more mood episodes a person has, the harder it is to treat each subsequent episode..." thus taking the kindling analogy one step further: that a fire which has spread is harder to put out (Expert Consensus, 1997).

In addition, it has been shown that substances such as cocaine and alcohol have their own kindling effects which can contribute to bipolar kindling. In fact, it was the knowledge that cocaine causes seizures that led Dr. Post to connect kindling in epilepsy with mood disorders, after he had studied the unexpected effects of cocaine on severely depressed patients (NARSAD).

A study led by Dr. Joseph Goldberg found that patients diagnosed with both bipolar disorder and substance abuse were much more likely to respond to treatment that included an anticonvulsant/mood stabilizer, divalproex (Depakote) or carbamazepine (Tegretol), with or without Lithium, than treatment with Lithium alone. At the same time, patients who had bipolar disorder but no history of substance abuse had similar remission rates with both types of treatment. Dr. Goldberg did note that more controlled studies are needed on the role of anticonvulsants in treating dual diagnosis patients. (Substance Abuse, 2000) Source

OCD & Bipolar

I've always been a bit OCD, always rearranging the creamers and jellies at every restaurant table. I'm a firm believer that everything has its place. :) Later in life I was diagnosed with Bipolar I. Apparently there is a correlation between OCD and Bipolar.

It has been estimated that between 10 to 35% of people with bipolar disorder also have OCD, with most reporting that their OCD symptoms started first. Indeed, OCD is thought to be the most frequently occurring anxiety disorder among people with bipolar disorder.

Interestingly, one analysis found that OCD occurs with bipolar disorder at much higher rate than major depressive disorder. This study found that people with bipolar disorder are between two and five times more likely to have OCD than people with major depressive disorder.

In general, people who are affected by both bipolar disorder and OCD seem to have very high rates of other forms of mental illness; in particular, panic disorder as well as impulse control disorders. I was originally diagnosed as Bipolar I and Schizoaffective. The schizoaffective has since been removed from my diagnosis and anxiety disorder has been added.

Although there is not one particular gene that links OCD and bipolar disorder, there is increasing evidence that these two disorder may share some genes. Behaviorally, both people with bipolar disorder and OCD show decreases in specific types of verbal memory. Source


While I was manic several summers ago I also became obsessed with Christianity and reading my Bible. I felt I was in direct communication with God. Across the Internet I've found several others with Bipolar who also struggle with religious preoccupation while manic. Looks like a lot of us struggle with some sort of obsession sooner or later.

Feeling Anxious Today

Hello everyone! I hope I find you all in good spirits. With the upcoming holiday tomorrow, July 4th, and payday today I have a lot to accomplish today. I need to pay rent, log on to my folk's computer and pay all my bills, run to the bank, run to my caregivers, and I have an appointment right after New Beginnings today. I'm meeting with my temporary case manager from the local mental health authority, Riverwood. Her name is Kelly and she's really helpful. She called to confirm my appointment this morning. I thought that was polite. I need to meet with her for about an hour and she also said today we need to do my yearly review while we meet. Hope all that goes well.

I feel a bit overwhelmed. New Beginnings runs from 9-3, so I'm trying to pass the time here, waiting for my appointment later and then the opportunity to run all my errands. I need to stay through the entire program today to clock in my hours. New Beginnings is a psycho-social rehabilitation program whose mission is to help individuals in their recovery journey from a diagnosed mental illness. The program also runs an consignment shop that I periodically help out in called 2nd Impressions. Here's a link to their facebook page: 2nd Impressions  The prices are very reasonable and they carry high end merchandise. Clothing mostly. 

I also need to pack tonight for my excursion to see my girlfriend tomorrow. Whew. I know once, like, 6-7pm hits I should be done with everything and I should be fine, but the anticipation is killing me. I want to take care of my chores now and not have to wait. Phlbt. Dem da breaks, lol.

Do you ever get anxious when you have a list of chores to do?