Assessment for Bipolar Disorder

The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that over 10 million Americans suffer from bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by extreme changes in mood and functioning.

Diagnosis

• Psychiatrists and clinical psychologists have specific training for diagnosing mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder. A diagnosis of bipolar disorder is made if the criteria stated in the DSM-IV for bipolar disorder are met.

Types

• Bipolar I disorder includes periods of mania and depression, while bipolar II disorder includes periods of hypomania and depression. Hypomania is shorter in duration and less severe than mania.

Features

• Hypomanic and manic episodes include at least three of the following symptoms: elevated mood, irritability, inflated self-esteem, decreased need for sleep, increased talkativeness, racing thoughts, poor concentration, increase in goal directed activity and excessive involvement in pleasurable activities with a high potential for negative consequences. Depressive episodes include at least five of the following symptoms: depressed mood, lack of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, significant weight changes, insomnia or excessive sleeping, psychomotor agitation or retardation, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, poor concentration and recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

History

• Assessment of bipolar disorder requires examining the history of mood changes. A diagnosis of bipolar disorder requires at least one current or past episode of hypomania or mania and one current or past episode of depression.

Time Frame

• Episodes are specified periods of time where certain mood symptoms are present. Manic episodes last for at least one week, depressive episodes last for at least two weeks and hypomanic episodes last for at least four days.

Considerations

• Bipolar disorder is frequently misdiagnosed as major depression, since individuals typically only seek treatment when they are feeling depressed. Many antidepressant medications may induce manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder.