Bipolar disorder is not identified by simple blood tests, X-ray or brain scan. A correct bipolar disorder diagnosis must be based on current symptoms, the development of the disease, the patient’s history and family history if available.
The bipolar disorder diagnostic process should begin with a person’s physical examination to rule out other diseases that could cause mood swings. The patient usually denies that something goes wrong or blamed the problems other than mental illness. Therefore, family members play a key role in drawing up a correct diagnosis, because they can explain when and how the person has begun to act differently than usual.
Since bipolar disorder is a cyclical mood disorder, it is vital that the doctor has an overview of the mental history of the patient and do not miss previous episodes. In addition, family mental history information can be extremely useful, since it is known that bipolar disorder often runs in families.
Why is it so difficult to develop a correct bipolar disorder diagnosis?
People with bipolar disorder may suffer for years before being diagnosed and treated properly. The great diversity of bipolar disorder (different degrees of severity, type, frequency and duration of episodes) makes it difficult to identify, even for physicians.
It is very important when a patient with bipolar disorder see a doctor. It is unusual to do during a hypomanic or manic episode, they don’t recognize their condition. On the other hand, if you get help during the depressive episode, the diagnosis (incorrect in this case) is often clinically depressed.
An added difficulty in diagnosing bipolar disorder is that many of the symptoms can be identified with other diseases, such as severe depression, schizophrenia or other mental disorders. Finally, in its early stages, bipolar disorder may seem like a problem other than mental illness. It may be mistaken for alcohol or drug abuse or poor school performance or work.
