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Bipolar Tests & Diagnosis

Bipolar disorder, sometimes called manic depressive disorder or manic depressive illness, involves extreme swings in mood, behavior, energy and thinking. These shifts are so intense that they frequently interfere with daily functioning.

  1. Psychological Evaluation

    • The first step in diagnosing a bipolar condition is typically a psychological evaluation. Doctors, psychiatrists and psychologist must determine the patient's symptoms, psychological history and family history of mental and mood disorders.

    Medical Examination

    • Before diagnosing a patient with bipolar disorder, physicians examine the patient to rule out any other conditions that might be causing the bipolar symptoms. Thyroid disorders, adrenal disorders, neurological disorders and food allergies also cause abrupt and extreme mood swings.

    Imaging Tests

    • Medical professionals are experimenting with identifying bipolar disorder with noninvasive imaging tests, such as positron-emission tomographic (PET) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

    Diagnostic Criteria

    • According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), a bipolar I disorder involves severe depressive and manic episodes. A bipolar II disorder is characterized by severe depressive and hypomanic episodes.

    Complications

    • Bipolar disorder is often difficult to diagnose since it shares many symptoms with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), major depression, borderline personality disorder and conduct disorder.

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