How do I confirm if I have bipolar disorder?

To confirm if you have bipolar disorder, you need to undergo a thorough evaluation by a mental health professional. Here are the steps and factors involved in the diagnosis:

Initial Consultation

Start by consulting your primary care doctor or family doctor if you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of extreme mood swings. They will likely refer you to a psychiatrist or another mental health specialist34.

Comprehensive Medical Interview and Physical Exam

A healthcare professional will conduct a complete medical interview and physical exam to rule out any physical causes for your symptoms. This includes lab tests to identify any medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms4.

Mental Health Assessment

A psychiatrist will perform a mental health assessment, which involves discussing your thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns. You may be asked to answer a series of questions, and with your permission, family members or close friends may be asked to provide information about your symptoms4.

Mood Charting

You might be asked to keep a daily record of your moods, sleep patterns, and other relevant factors to help in making an accurate diagnosis and developing an appropriate treatment plan4.

Diagnostic Criteria

The diagnosis is based on the criteria outlined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition). This includes:

• Episodes of mania or hypomania, which are periods of elevated or irritable mood.
• Episodes of depression.
• The duration and impact of these episodes on your daily life. For example, hypomania is diagnosed if elevated mood symptoms last for at least four consecutive days, while mania is diagnosed if such symptoms last for more than a week5.

Symptoms to Look For

Key symptoms include:

• High moods (mania or hypomania): Feeling very happy, excited, or energetic, having a lot of energy, racing thoughts, speaking fast, high sex drive, feeling overly confident, being impulsive, and experiencing hallucinations or delusions12.
• Low moods (depression): Feeling sad, hopeless, or irritable, lacking energy, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in activities, feelings of worthlessness, and suicidal thoughts12.

Ruling Out Other Conditions

The healthcare professional will ensure that your symptoms are not caused by other mental health conditions or medical problems. There is currently no blood test or imaging that can diagnose bipolar disorder, so the diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation34.

Follow-Up and Treatment

If diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental health specialist will work with you to create a treatment plan that may include medications to stabilize your moods, talking therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and regular follow-up appointments124.

It is crucial to seek professional help if you are experiencing extreme mood swings or other symptoms that are impacting your daily life.