Well my friend I suffer the the same symptoms. I myself not a war veteran like you I was an over the road trucker of 18 years to date but back in december 04/97 iI had a truck wreck killin 2 truck drivers that they pulled out to pass a snow plow. I was finally diagnosed in 2000 with Bi polar and recently with Ptsd and they say they are both caused from the wreck. I hope this will help you out and my friend your not the only one now.

I never heard of ptsd causing bipolar. Bipolar is understood as a genetic condition--as far as I understand; You have it or you don't. There's no cure. Ptsd results from trauma. Ptsd can go into remission. My therapist would tell you that she never treated someone with bipolar, who did not experience significant traumatic events. Some things are still mysteries. I wouldn't know whether some researchers think that bipolar could develop because of ptsd. I never heard of that idea.

Bipolar disorder and PTSD are totally different. I have both. Bipolar disorder is, like literarypractice said, usually genetic. The person may have a family history of any mood disorder and have an increased risk of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder and depression usually show in late adolescence, but children and adults can develop these disorders.

I don't really see how PTSD could even remotely cause bipolar disorder. It could cause depression if the person isolates and becomes dispondant. But mania or even hypomania from PTSD? No, I can't see how.

If you have bipolar disorder, you probably had it and didn't recognize the symptoms before being evaluated for the PTSD or the stress from the trauma and recovery from trauma could have aggravated the bipolar symptoms. Also, medications for bipolar (which are often anti-seizure medications such as Depakote used as mood stabilizers) can be used for a variety of medical conditions including epilepsy and migraines.

My Husband is retired Military and was diagnosed with PTSD in 2002 . He had a Head Injury when he was blown off a 113( Tank ) and had severe Head Trauma .
The first time he was denied ( I think the VA does that automatically.)
Then he appealed and they gave him 70 % service connected
Disability .
Now he is trying to get 100 % because he has Restless Leg Syndrome ( which is a form of Parkinson Decease )
Now the VA Shrink is saying he is Bi Polar ! I have no glue if he has it or not. ( he is very depressed sometimes , but he also lost his daughter on July 4th 2005 ! )
So, I don't know what is what but I have seen a different side of him since he is on this Bi Polar stuff
He is more unsure of himself and sometimes can't get the words out .
Good luck all of you !
Hugs
Petra