How to Diagnose Bipolar Disease

Bipolar Disorder is classified as a mood disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV). This disorder involves extreme and uncontrollable changes in mood. Someone with Bipolar Disorder may be highly energetic in one instant and completely withdrawn, fatigued or depressed in another. The severity and extent of these mood changes affects how an individual functions on a day to day basis and can have disastrous effects on that person's relationships if left untreated.

Things You'll Need

• DSM-IV
• Extensive interview
• Psychiatrist

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Instructions

• 1

  Identify manic episodes. Manic episodes are periods lasting at least one week, during which your mood was consistently elevated or irritable to an abnormal degree. For example, inflated sense of self, increased risk-taking, limited need for sleep, goal fixations and inattention are commonly present during manic episodes.

• 2

  Identify a major depressive episode. Major depressive episodes must last at least two weeks during which you experienced a loss of interest or pleasure from all activities. Other symptoms of a major depressive episode are changes in appetite, weight or sleep, fatigue, guilt, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, thoughts of suicide or feeling worthless.

• 3

  Identify mixed episodes. Mixed episodes feature rapid mood changes for at least one week. During this time, symptoms of both manic episodes and major depressive episodes are alternatively present. Insomnia, disruption in appetite and suicidal thoughts are frequent symptoms.

• 4

  Ask yourself whether these episodes interfere with your day to day functioning. In other words, are you able to perform activities of daily life such as eating, sleeping, bathing and getting dressed as you normally would? Do these episodes interfere with your ability to perform at your job? Are your relationships with others affected by these episodes?

• 5

  Get evaluated by a psychiatrist. Although you may have experienced one or all of these episodes, the severity and frequency of them are important to determine if a disorder is present. Psychiatrists conduct thorough interviews to determine this and also to rule out other possible causes of these episodes, such as substance abuse or the presence of another medical condition.