How does one diagnose Bipolar Disorder?

Question

That is, besides seeing a psychologist, how does one diagnose bipolar disorder? Is there a specificly designed test? Are there unique symptoms to observe? Detailed answers are much appreciated!

Answer 1

No, there is no "test" for bipolar disorder. The only way to accurately assess for any personality or mental disorder is by a trained psychologist - and even then it is not always accurate.

Besides, is there a reason you (or this person) needs a label? If there is something wrong, then there is something wrong - a label or a name won't change it. It will not become part of your name like Dr TrueNone or Rev TrueNone :)


There are several online test that are designed to give you a general idea if there is something wrong but they always say to print the results and the test and take it to your doctor.

http://www.4degreez.com/misc/personality_disorder_test.mv
http://twotreesmedia.com/test2.htm
http://counsellingresource.com/quizzes/goldberg-bipolar/index.html
http://www.okcupid.com/tests/take?testid=5033415249831574643
http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&&id=975&&cn=4&&clnt=clnt00001&&

Answer 2

Tell your friend this: "Can family doctors diagnose bipolar disorder?" Yes, if you like. And since you are in the United Kingdom, it won't cost you anything. If you are trying to avoid psychiatrists, there you go. For you the cost in cash is zero either way. But the social costs and personal costs of carrying around a psychiatric label or becoming dependent on psychiatric drugs may be significant. Each has unintended consequences. In any case, if you have problems, you should certainly try to fix them. Try to find someone who regards you as a unique human being with unique experiences. That is generally referred to as humanistic psychology. Because you have already selected a label, I suspect that you also subscribe to the disease model of mental health and the Big Parma approach: A drug for every disorder. But take care to look into what the outcome has been overall and consider alternatives.

Answer 3

a psychiatrist is the one to diagnose bipolar. bi means both . like both extremes of emotions. Highs so high that a person thinks they are invincible or godlike. Lows so low that some people even have suicidal thoughts. Lithium is a common medication to take for it. So to get help one must see a doctor to get it properly diagnosed.

Answer 4

Your doctor may ask you or a family member who has accompanied you about your signs and symptoms and to describe apparent episodes of mania and depression. Diagnosis also involves ruling out other mental health conditions that may produce some symptoms similar to bipolar disorder. These may include other mood disorders, sometimes schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or borderline personality disorder.


You may also undergo tests to see if your mood swings are due to physical causes, such as:


Substance abuse. Abuse of alcohol, marijuana and cocaine may affect your moods.


Thyroid disorders. A blood test for thyroid function can determine whether you have a thyroid disorder, such as an underactive thyroid.


Your doctor may also ask about your use of medications, alcohol and recreational drugs and about your diet. Certain medications including corticosteroids, such as prednisone, and medications used to treat depression, anxiety and Parkinson's disease can cause mood swings. Abuse of alcohol and recreational drugs also can cause mood swings. Deficiency of vitamin B-12 may alter moods as well.

Answer 5

What is Bipolar Disorder?
A Layperson's Definition of Manic Depression
by Marcia Purse

One textbook definition describes bipolar disorder as a major affective disorder in which an individual alternates between states of deep depression and extreme elation. This is misleading in that bipolar disorder - also known as manic depression or manic-depressive illness - is much more complicated than just alternating between depression and elation.

The American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (commonly known as the DSM-IV because it is in its fourth major edition) indicates that Bipolar Disorder is characterized by the occurrence of one or more manic or mixed episode often accompanied by depressive episodes. So even if you're depressed 99 percent of the time, going through just one manic episode qualifies you for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder according to this definition - but that still leaves out a lot of what manic depression really is.

So let's put it in terms everyone can understand. Bipolar disorder is an illness that affects thoughts, feelings, perceptions and behavior ... even how a person feels physically (known clinically as psychosomatic presentations). It's probably caused by electrical and chemical elements in the brain not functioning properly (see What Causes Bipolar Disorder? for more information), and is usually found in people whose families have a history of one or more mental illnesses. (While we're at it, let's be clear about something: a mental illness is one that affects the mind, not one that's all in the mind.)

Most often, a person with manic-depression experiences moods that shift from high to low and back again in varying degrees of severity. The two poles of bipolar disorder are mania and depression. This is the least complicated form of the illness.

Depression might be identified by:
Refusing to get out of bed for days on end
Sleeping much more than usual
Being tired all the time but unable to sleep
Having bouts of uncontrollable crying
Becoming entirely uninterested in things you once enjoyed
Paying no attention to daily responsibilities
Feeling hopeless, helpless or worthless for a sustained period of time
Becoming unable to make simple decisions
Wanting to die
Mania might include:
Feeling like you can do anything, even something unsafe or illegal
Needing very little sleep, yet never feeling tired
Dressing flamboyantly, spending money extravagantly, living recklessly
Having increased sexual desires, perhaps even indulging in risky sexual behaviors
Experiencing hallucinations or delusions
Feeling filled with energy
Some people think that they are just "over their depression" when they become manic, and don't realize this exaggerated state is part of the illness - part of bipolar disorder. A person who has depression and mania is said to have Bipolar I.

In addition to Bipolar Disorder I, the American system of diagnosing this disorder also includes Bipolar Disorder II, which involves symptoms of hypomania instead of full-blown mania.

Hypomania - a less extreme form of manic episode - could include:
Having utter confidence in yourself
Being able to focus well on projects
Feeling extra creative or innovative
Being able to brush off problems that would paralyze you during depression
Feeling "on top of the world" but without going over the top.
Hypomania does not include hallucinations or delusions, but a hypomanic person still might exhibit some reckless or inappropriate behavior. A person who has moods of depression and hypomania is said to have Bipolar II.

Finally, here are links to some of the important terms you need to know as you learn more about bipolar disorder.
Affective Disorder
DSM-IV
Episode
Euphoria
Psychosomatic

Answer 6

only a doc can diagnose. they compare your symptoms to a list of specifics. certain criteria must be met in order to diagnose. lots of people are quick to assume bi-polar when in fact it could be many other things. if you suspect that you or someone you know is suffering from this, visit a bi-polar web site to get more in depth info. then see a doc. good luck

Answer 7

constant extreme mood swings and an increased sexual drive