Diagnosing bipolar disorder is a very delicate and sensitive procedure. Diagnosis of this symptoms is very difficult that is why some people don’t know they are afflicted with it. This is because the condition features multiple episodes. The manic phase are incorrectly perceived as a normal personality and therefore only the depressive symptoms are only described, and as a result, people with bipolar disorder are often incorrectly diagnosed with just depression. This article will describe the process of diagnosis for bipolar disorder.

Laboratory exams cannot detect bipolar disorder and therefore the most important tool in diagnosis of bipolar disorder is Mood Disorder Questionnaire or MDQ. This questionnaire must be answered by the patient so that the doctor can evaluate whether he or she is recommended for further tests or treatment.

The doctor also uses diagnostic exams to rule out other conditions and to shed light to your current one. Diagnosing bipolar disorder includes the person’s medical and psychiatric history. Medical history will include the current symptoms and the results of physical examination. This is because bipolar disorder may be misdiagnosed because other illnesses and conditions share the same symptoms’. These includes a lot of ailments such as thyroid disorders, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, lupus, diabetes, epilepsy, salt imbalance, brain tumor and head injury.

When they are checking for psychiatric history of bipolar people, they would usually inquire about the symptoms of mental conditions. Family members are also asked if they experience the same symptoms because bipolar disorder is passed on genetically. Another important question that is asked during a psychiatric history is the occurrence of mood swings since this is one of the key characteristics of bipolar disorder.

By examining the symptoms, and doctors can conclude the it fits the condition, then they can diagnose it as bipolar disorder. The symptoms must be an everyday ocurrence. In order to diagnose if there is bipolar disorder, the condition of depression must be accompanied by bouts of mania.