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Bipolar disorder can be hard to detect. Some people may go 10 years or more before being diagnosed.
There are many reasons why bipolar disorder is hard to diagnose. For example, how patients describe symptoms and what types of symptoms they have first. When people are feeling manic or hypomanic, they are full of energy. They can feel good. They may feel “high on life” and don’t always seek help. But they may seek help when they fall into depression. At that time, they may describe only symptoms of depression to their doctor or counselor. Therefore, it’s common for a person to be incorrectly diagnosed with depression, instead of bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder also shares many of the signs and symptoms associated with other illnesses, such as anxiety disorders and schizophrenia. This can complicate the diagnosis even more.
Importance of early diagnosis and treatment
No lab test can detect bipolar disorder. But a doctor or counselor can determine if someone has bipolar disorder symptoms.
Without proper treatment, the disorder could become harder to treat. Getting appropriate treatment for bipolar disorder may help people live more normal lives.
Learning how to recognize bipolar disorder may help someone get an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment more quickly.
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