Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, as many as 5.7 million adults in the United States suffer from bipolar disorder. Also known as manic-depressive disorder, this condition can be difficult to diagnose when a person presents for treatment. In many cases, individuals may be misdiagnosed because of the variety of symptoms that accompany the disorder.

Identification

• Bipolar disorder is a psychological condition in which individuals experience bouts of mania and depression that alternate in cycles. Each bout is called an episode, and one can last anywhere from two weeks to about a year. A bout of mania involves feelings of euphoria and hyperactivity, while depression episodes involve feelings of sadness and a sense of hopelessness. Manic depression conditions typically develop in a person's teenage years, though in some cases onset can occur later in life.

Symptoms

• The symptoms experienced with bipolar disorder can vary depending on which end of the cycle a person is in. Some individuals may experience what's called a mixed state where symptoms of mania and depression occur at the same time. Mania episodes can cause changes in a person's sleep patterns, energy levels and overall activity level. Extreme personality changes may occur to the point where a person makes a public spectacle of himself. Depression episodes are times when energy levels are low. Sleep times may become longer. Individuals may show little interest in what are usually enjoyable activities. The symptoms experienced with bipolar disorder can become disruptive to the point where a person is unable to carry out home or work responsibilities.

Features

• Individuals who suffer from bipolar disorder are most likely to seek treatment when they enter a depressive episode. The feelings of euphoria and excitement experienced during mania often prevent individuals from seeking treatment. As a result, individuals may be diagnosed with major depression disorder because clinicians are likely to draw a one-sided conclusion based on the current symptoms the patient is describing. If individuals are experiencing feelings of extreme anxiety within a depression episode, this too can result in a misdiagnosis of anxiety disorder.

Assessment

• Because bipolar disorder is a condition with many variable symptoms, a thorough assessment process may prevent clinicians from misdiagnosing the problem. A full psychological history of past and present symptoms, as well as any conditions affecting family members, provides a full inventory of a person's behavioral background. Information on any past or present medical conditions is also necessary to ensure that the person's symptoms are not medically related. In cases where bipolar disorder is suspected, a checklist inventory called the Mood Disorder Questionnaire can be used. This checklist is specifically designed to identity symptoms that match a bipolar disorder diagnosis.

Treatment

• Once a diagnosis of bipolar disorder has been established, an effective treatment plan can be put into place. Treatment methods usually combine medication and psychotherapy throughout the course of treatment. Medication therapy helps relieve a person's immediate symptoms and reduces the number of episodes she experiences. Symptom relief enables a person to function normally and puts her in the state of mind needed to work within a psychotherapy setting. During psychotherapy, individuals address the behaviors and thinking patterns that contribute to the disorder and learn how to better manage their symptoms.