The diagnosis of bipolar disorder is a delicate process. Diagnosis of this symptoms is very difficult that is why some people don’t know they are afflicted with it. This is because the condition features multiple episodes. The manic phase is usually equated to a normal personality while the melancholic phase is considered a symptom of depression that is bipolar is misdiagnosed. This article will describe the process of diagnosis for bipolar disorder.
A questionnaire is used to diagnose bipolar because lab exams are unreliable. The questionnaire should be filled out completely so the doctors can determine whether to proceed with further treatments.
The doctor uses diagnostic exams to eliminate other conditions and highlight the current one. In order to diagnose if the person has bipolar disorder, he must submit a complete background of medical and psychological examination results. Medical history will include the current symptoms and the results of physical examination. This is because bipolar disorder may be misdiagnosed because other illnesses and conditions share the same symptoms’. Included are thyroid disorders, multiple sclerosis, AIDS , lupus, diabetes, epilepsy, salt imbalance, brain tumor and head injury.
On the other hand, in the psychiatric history that is used for diagnosis of bipolar disorder, the person will be asked about symptoms of mental conditions. Other family members have to submit their medical history especially if they are experiencing the same symptoms because this condition is passed on from one generation to another.
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Another important question that is asked during a psychiatric history is the occurrence of mood swings since this is one of the key characteristics of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is diagnosed through careful observation and examination of the symptoms. Also the current symptoms must have been present for a considerable length already or is already affecting the everyday functioning of the patient. If there is no manic depressive episode, and the person only suffers depression, therefore it is not bipolar disorder but unipolar depression.
