| The seriousness of bipolar cases is indisputable. In | | | | emotional quotient, memory and thinking |
| fact, many patients who have symptoms of a | | | | capabilities, and your reasoning skills. |
| manic-depression state can be misdiagnosed. | | | | * Medical history. The doctor may also ask you |
| Another important fact is that a bipolar test can | | | | about drugs that had been prescribed to you in |
| actually take years before a person is correctly | | | | the past years. If necessary, he or she will also |
| diagnosed. Simply put, this mental illness is very | | | | ask if you had been taking illegal ones. Drugs are |
| difficult to detect. | | | | possible causes of bipolar disorder. |
| When a person with manic-depression disorder is | | | | * Lab tests. When necessary and if you have |
| high or manic, it is not surprising that he won't feel | | | | indicated that you have been taking drugs other |
| the need for a test. Therefore, only the | | | | than those prescribed, you may be subjected to |
| depressive tendencies are diagnosed most often. | | | | a laboratory examination. |
| The result is an inaccurate diagnosis of the | | | | * Reference. Especially if the doctor finds that |
| patient, concluding the symptoms as depression | | | | you have a serious bipolar disorder, he or she |
| only when it is actually a bipolar issue. | | | | may inquire about you from your friends and |
| What The Doctor Looks For | | | | family members. If your doctor asks for names |
| When a doctor conducts a bipolar test, the | | | | of your friends, give them to him or her. |
| patient will be asked with a series of questions, | | | | * Observation tests. You may have to undergo a |
| assessments, laboratory exams, and constant | | | | series of tests that aim to observe your |
| observations. These are strategically outlined to | | | | behavioral patterns and mood swings. Sometimes |
| determine if you have the disorder and to | | | | it is even necessary to consider observing your |
| understand the level of concern. The tests will | | | | physique and how you dress. |
| consist of the following points: | | | | Diagnosing Children |
| * Origin and cycles. It is advised that you recall | | | | A bipolar test can reveal many symptoms of this |
| the details as to when your manic-depression | | | | problem. But because symptoms share the same |
| episodes started. The frequency of your bipolar | | | | signs as that of other mental illness issues, there |
| cycle will also be important in diagnosing your | | | | is more difficulty in diagnosing children for a bipolar |
| problem. This will help your doctor in understanding | | | | test. Kids, especially at a very young age may |
| the level of seriousness of your problem. | | | | have characteristics similar to bipolar signs. |
| * Your family background and personal history. | | | | Since children are "normally" delinquent, anxious, |
| The bipolar test will also include questions of these | | | | and their learning curve is still developing |
| types. Bipolar disorder is often caused by your | | | | constantly at this time, it is more difficult to |
| childhood environment and may be attributed to | | | | diagnose them. A child's mood swings also share |
| your family relationships. | | | | similar characteristics with bipolar symptoms. |
| * Assessment of your mental health. Depending | | | | Psychosis and attention-deficit hyperactivity |
| on the level of concern, it is possible that you will | | | | disorder (ADHD) can sometimes be mistaken for |
| be interviewed separately to determine your | | | | bipolar disorder. |