Hello, Shortandcute,

Bipolar illness can be inherited and sometimes there will be others in the family line
who have bipolar illness, too: aunts, uncles, cousins. It can occur in that way.

It may pop up as part of the result of traumatic stress syndrome or other trauma in life.

To see it as a deep sin is something that occurs in people who have not been well educated in the realm of science or medicine or the arts or spiritual training or almost any field you want to name. It's a theory that is based on ignorance, Short and Cute, and you should never feel that sin in life is the cause of illness, though it can have physiological and psychological effects in some people. For those with severe consciences, it may be troublesome. For those who have no conscience, sin means nothing.

There's no question that bipolar illness can play havoc with the emotions; in fact, it is an illness of moods, not an intellectual disorder.

You may want to read more about it to learn how it is diagnosed, how it is medicated, and how it is treated. Some of the best of the spiritual writers will tell you, however, that meditation, reading good (and I mean good) books on the subject of peace and calmness and having guidance in healing can be very helpful.

As you learn about it, you will become more and more able to manage the illness until one day you find yourself taking only a minimum amount of medication and living a content, if not happy, life.

Take care of yourself first; that's an important step.

Good wishes.