Bipolar Disorder
How this condition is diagnosed
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Medically reviewed by Carina Fung, PharmD, BCPPS on April 22, 2020
Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis
To diagnose[26] bipolar disorder, your healthcare provider and/or mental health specialist will take a thorough inventory of your medical history, which includes your symptoms, life history and experiences, and, in some cases, your family history. People with bipolar disorder are more likely to seek professional help when they are experiencing a depressive episode than during a manic or hypomanic episode. This can lead to bipolar disorder being mistaken for depression. It is important that healthcare providers discern carefully between the diagnosis of depression and bipolar disorder, as certain antidepressant medications have the potential to trigger a manic episode in those with bipolar disorder¹¹.Bipolar disorder test (h3)
There is no one particular test used to diagnose bipolar disorder. Instead, a healthcare provider may use the following[27] to determine whether you have bipolar disorder:- Physical exam: Your provider may perform an exam to rule out any underlying medical issues that may be causing or worsening your symptoms.
- Psychiatric assessment: You may be referred to a psychiatrist or other mental health professional who can discuss your thoughts, feelings, and patterns of behavior.
- Mood tracking: Your provider may ask you to chart a daily record of your moods or sleep patterns.
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