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Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder

 A diagnosis of bipolar disorder will involves your health care provider questioning you on your past medical history, your family’s medical history, and the severity of your mood swings. In addition to your answers to these questions, tests for bipolar disorder can include a host of laboratory tests to rule out thyroid problems or drug abuse. Psychological tests to evaluate symptoms and mental history may also be carried out. Your doctor may also need to talk to friends and family to corroborate his findings.

An accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder is the first step towards receiving the proper treatment. However, this is not always easy as the symptoms of bipolar disorder overlap with those of ADHD, depression, and borderline personality disorder. To receive a proper diagnosis may therefore take years in some cases. It is always recommended that you visit a psychiatrist rather than your family doctor for an accurate diagnosis.