To fully answer this question, researchers would have to study many high-risk children from birth and try different types of interventions to see what did and didn't protect against the development of bipolar disorder.

CNN: Can a person 'discourage' bipolar disorder?

Dr Pitman recently conducted a trial to see if propranolol could prevent the development of this disorder, which afflicts those who have been exposed to horrific events, such as battles or plane crashes, with emotionally disturbing flash-back memories.

ECONOMIST: Memory and emotion: Thanks for no memory | The

He believes that psychiatric problems, such as schizophrenia, drug addiction and obsessive compulsive disorder generally arise from irregular brain development.

BBC: World's most detailed scans will reveal how brain works