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Written by Amy Kate
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Controlling Life with Treatment of Bipolar and MedicationAlthough bipolar disorder is a serious condition that can prevent some people from holding regular jobs, bipolar medicine can control the episodes of mania and depression and thus allow most people to lead normal lives. Before any type of bipolar treatment starts, it is necessary to confirm a bipolar disorder diagnosis. |
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Written by Amy Kate
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How to Obtain a Bipolar Disorder DiagnosisUnlike many mental illnesses, a bipolar disorder diagnosis depends upon a series of evaluations rather than just a laboratory test. Depending upon the bipolar symptoms it may take one or two years before a diagnosis is confirmed. There is no test for a chemical imbalance as there is for most cases of depression because the symptoms of bipolar disorder are somewhat sporadic in nature and offer some periods when no symptoms at all are present. The only way to diagnose this condition is carefully following the patient for a period in order to determine the number of episodes of mania and depression during a year. Because there is no set pattern for bipolar symptoms it must be closely monitored in order to discover whether a particular patient is suffering from symptoms of bipolar disorder or is just suffering occasional bouts of severe depression that are following by periods of happiness. Having occasional incidents of what appears to be manic depressive behavior does not mean the person is actually suffering from bipolar disorder. Everyone has episodes that appear to be depression at some time in their life, and these episodes may appear to be indicative of the symptoms of bipolar disorder, but unless they are recurring at least four times during the year, it is impossible to make a bipolar disorder diagnosis for that patient. |
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Written by Amy Kate
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Defining the Symptoms of Bipolar DisorderBipolar disorder is also known as manic depression or manic depressive illness and is recognized by a dramatic change in moods from extreme happiness (mania) to major depression. The symptoms of bipolar disorder are not also recognizable by the average person or even the person suffering from bipolar symptoms. Because the mood swings can occur very quickly in some people, it is necessary for a mental health professional to monitor the patient for one to two years in order to make a proper bipolar disorder diagnosis. In some people the cycles can last for days, weeks or months, and they are not just the passing of a good or bad mood. |
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