How are you tested to find out if you are Bipolar?

Answer 1

when you see your doctor they ask you some questions about your passed and about your family history and then also about how you are feeling at this time. and then they go off what the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) says and that's how they make their minds up to what label best fits to you. You have to remember that they can only go off symptoms and there is no clear test like a blood test that will tell them if your are or are not bipolar.

edit to the person above I have never had a CAT scan

Answer 2

I agree with MadforMAC. Just to clarify: yes, talk first to a counselor. If the counselor thinks you may be bipolar, he or she will refer you to a psychiatrist (a professional who is both a doctor and a counselor). The psychiatrist confirms the diagnosis, and prescribes treatment.

Mental illnesses are diagnosed by talking to the patient and having the patient describe what he or she is feeling. WebMD says that sometimes you may be asked to answer a series of questions. There's no physical test that I know of.

If you have insurance, it may cover the office visits and treatment. If you're not insured, counselors and psychiatrists will lower the bill for your visit based on what you can afford.

Answer 3

When I was first diagnosed bipolar they did a CAT scan to rule out lesions or other abnormalities, they did a thyroid check because thyroid problems can mimic bipolar and I also had to do a huge questionaire about my symptoms, family history ,medical stuff and how I felt then. There is no test to find bipolar but they may do different tests to eliminate other causes of your symptoms

Answer 4

If you are thinking you might be bipolar, describe your feelings of the last couple months to a psychiatrist and he will prescribe you the right meds. There really is no test. It is all about how you have been feeling.

Answer 5

I went to my regular doctor, who had been treating me for depression, and expressed concern that I had what I thought was a manic phase and asked to be tested for Bipolar. She had me fill out a Bipolar questionnaire and then referred me to a psychiatrist for medication management. Most doctors should have the form that you can fill out and then they can give you information about it. I think therapists have them too, but I'm not sure. Here's the questionnaire that you can take:

Answer 6

You need to contact someone who is qualified to do so; licensed therapist/counselor is where I would start. When you start calling psychiatrists/psychologists, they are more expensive and perform the same service only with drugs.

Answer 7

You have to talk to a shrink & they will determine if you are.