Bipolar disorder is a serious mental illness that affects millions of people worldwide. It can be difficult to diagnose and treat, and it’s often missed or mistaken for something else.
In fact, research suggests bipolar disorder is frequently misdiagnosed. In a widely cited survey by the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association, 69% of people with bipolar disorder were initially misdiagnosed, and more than a third waited 10 years or longer for a correct diagnosis. So how often is bipolar disorder misdiagnosed, and why does it happen so often?
Below, we look at why the diagnosis is so easy to miss, and the signs and symptoms to watch for if you think you or someone you love may be living with it.
How Is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed, and Why Is It Misdiagnosed?
Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme shifts in mood, from periods of mania, or intense elevation, to periods of depression. While it can be a debilitating illness, it’s also highly treatable. Treatment only works, though, once the disorder is correctly identified.
To be diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a person has to experience manic or hypomanic episodes, usually along with periods of major depression. Bipolar I can be diagnosed on the basis of a manic episode alone, even without a depressive episode. These episodes are usually separated by stretches of stable or depressed mood.
Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms can mimic those of other conditions, especially depression and anxiety. Many people don’t seek help until they’re in the middle of a depressive episode, which makes it harder for a clinician to see the full picture and recognize the manic or hypomanic side of the illness.
If you think you or someone you know may have bipolar disorder, it’s important to seek professional help. A qualified mental health professional can properly assess the symptoms and make an accurate diagnosis. With the right diagnosis, there are many effective treatments that help people manage the condition and live full, healthy lives.
Bipolar Disorder vs. Major Depression
Bipolar disorder and major depression share many symptoms, which is part of why bipolar disorder is so hard to pin down. There are key differences between the two.
Bipolar disorder involves both highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). During the highs, a person may have more energy and activity than usual, act impulsively, and make poor decisions. During the lows, they may feel depressed, low on energy, and unable to concentrate.
Major depression involves a persistent low mood and loss of interest in activities, often alongside fatigue, sleep disturbances, and changes in appetite. Unlike people with bipolar disorder, people with major depression don’t experience manic or hypomanic episodes.
The Different Types of Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar and related disorders fall into a few categories, each with its own pattern of symptoms:
- Bipolar I Disorder is the most severe form. It involves manic episodes that last at least seven days, or that are severe enough to require hospitalization. Depressive episodes usually occur as well.
- Bipolar II Disorder involves a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown mania of Bipolar I. It’s still a serious illness. Bipolar II isn’t a milder form of bipolar disorder, and its depressive episodes can be severe and long-lasting, causing major disruption.
- Cyclothymic Disorder (cyclothymia) is a milder, chronic form. It involves mood swings that don’t reach the intensity of full hypomanic or depressive episodes, but that persist for years and can still disrupt daily life.
- Other Specified and Unspecified Bipolar and Related Disorders is the catch-all category for bipolar symptoms that cause real distress but don’t fit neatly into the definitions above.
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Symptoms of bipolar disorder can include:
- Changes in mood. Extreme highs (mania) and lows (depression) that may shift quickly or slowly over time.
- Changes in energy and activity. Sudden bursts of energy during manic periods, followed by fatigue or low energy during depressive ones. Sleep often suffers during mania.
- Changes in thinking. Trouble concentrating during manic episodes, and in severe cases, delusions or hallucinations.
- Changes in behavior. Impulsive choices during manic episodes, including spending sprees, substance use, or risky sexual behavior.
Get Treatment for Bipolar Disorder and Co-Occurring Conditions
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder is the first step toward an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. The psychiatric team at Destination Hope can help you understand what you’re experiencing and build a plan to manage it, including dual diagnosis care when substance use is part of the picture. Our mental health programs provide psychiatric care and medication management at every level of care.
With early diagnosis and the right treatment, you can find relief from your symptoms and live a meaningful, healthy life. Call us at (954) 302-4269 to get the help you deserve today.
