Bipolar Disorder - How to Get an Accurate Diagnosis

Getting an accurate diagnosis for bipolar disorder is not as easy as it looks. This is because doctors cannot simply give the answer by extracting some blood or doing a CT scan. What makes matters worse is that some of the symptoms of this illness can be confused with something else. So in order to get an accurate diagnosis, various tests need to be done.

The first step the doctor will do is conduct a physical exam and examine the patient\'s medical history. This is because it is possible that the individual could be suffering from AIDS, a brain or head trauma, diabetes, epilepsy, lupus, Lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, neurosyphilis, sodium balance or thyroid disorder. Naturally, these have to be ruled out which is why such tests are necessary.

The doctor will also need to review the psychiatric history of the patient as mood swings associated with bipolar disorder are also present in people who are suffering from ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, due to alcohol or drug abuse, borderline personality disorder, delusional disorder, depression, eating disorders, panic disorder, Schizophrenia, and Schizoaffective Disorder.

Since bipolar disorder is often times genetic, the doctor will need to know if this illness has occurred to someone else in the family. If it has happened before, then there is a good indication that this could also be present in the patient.

Lastly, the doctor will also evaluate the patient based on the current symptoms because bipolar disorder will either make the person feel high or low.

As we discussed previously, some of the things to watch out for in someone who is experiencing manic episodes include increased activity or restlessness, extreme irritability; the person is easily distracted, uses poor judgment, engages in spending sprees, denies that there is anything wrong, increased sexual drive, little sleep needed and signs of aggressive behavior.