Bipolar Disorder

To diagnose bipolar disorder, your healthcare provider may use many tools, including:

• A physical exam.
• A thorough medical history, which will include asking about your symptoms, lifetime history, experiences and family history.
• Medical tests, such as blood tests, to rule out other conditions that could be causing your symptoms, such as hyperthyroidism.
• A mental health evaluation. Your healthcare provider may perform the evaluation, or they may refer you to a mental health specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist.

To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, you must have experienced at least one episode of mania or hypomania. Mental health providers use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to diagnose the type of bipolar disorder a person may be experiencing.

To determine what type of bipolar disorder you may have, your mental health provider assesses the pattern of symptoms and how much they affect your life during the most severe episodes.

People with bipolar disorder are more likely to also have the following mental health conditions:

• Anxiety.
• Attention-deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Substance use disorders/dual diagnosis.

Because of this, as well as the fact that memory is often impaired during mania so people can’t remember experiencing it, it can be difficult for healthcare providers to properly diagnose people with bipolar disorder.

People with bipolar disorder who are experiencing a severe manic episode with hallucinations may be incorrectly diagnosed with schizophrenia. Bipolar disorder can also be misdiagnosed as borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Because of this, it’s important to be honest and thorough when explaining all of your symptoms and experiences when talking with your healthcare provider. It can also be helpful to include a loved one who may be able to provide additional details about your mental health history in your discussions with your provider.