How to Obtain a Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis

Unlike 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.

A regular pattern of occurrences must be established, and these incidents must not be connected to some event that has recently happened in the life of the patient. For example a patient that is being monitored for bipolar disorder and goes into what appears to be a depressive state because of a recent death of loved one does not fall into the same category as a patient who goes into a depressive state for an unknown reason. It is normal for a person to become depressed because of the death of a loved one, and this behavior is not indicative of a bipolar disorder depression.

No mental health professional is going to begin bipolar treatment until he or she has firmly established the recurring pattern that bipolar disorder exhibits. It is essential for a doctor to monitor a patient, especially for a patient who is not able to provide details of a pattern that may indicate the presence of bipolar disorder. Quite often the patient ignores the symptoms until a major incident occurs, so he or she is unable to provide accurate information to a mental health professional concerning any previous incidents of the same kind of behavior. Without accurate information concerning past episodes the doctor will not be able to begin any type of bipolar treatment.

Anyone who is concerned about the existence of this potentially debilitating condition needs to consult a therapist or psychiatrist as soon as possible. In addition, begin monitoring your own episodes of manic depressive behavior in order to determine if they are normal episodes or may actually be frequent and severe enough to classify as bipolar disorder. Do not attempt to diagnose yourself but keep a log so that you can provide the information to a professional who has the knowledge to make a proper diagnosis.

Keep in mind that sometimes your periods of depression may be no more than sadness related to something in your life or they may be depression caused by a chemical imbalance, which requires a different treatment plan than bipolar disorder. In fact, some people begin treatment for ordinary depression and discover that later they are actually suffering from bipolar disorder. This is the reason it is essential for a doctor to monitor a patient for a recurring pattern before making a final diagnosis.

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