Understanding Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Diagnosis & What to Expect

Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder in which a person cycles from high, or manic, moods to low, or depressed, moods. Diagnosing bipolar disorder is done by assessing a patient's signs and symptoms. A doctor will ask questions about your moods, personal history and symptoms and also your family history because of the strong genetic tie.

Identification

• Your doctor will use criteria in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to make an accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Depressive episodes

• Your doctor will ask you talk about your depressive episodes, noting lengths, severity and other effects of your depression.

Manic episodes

• Because bipolar disorder involves cycles from depression to mania, your doctor will also ask about your manic episodes, including length and specific symptoms.

Family history

• According to mentalhealthchannel.com, 50 percent of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder have a parent with a mood disorder. Because of the genetic component, your doctor will review your family history with you to make an accurate diagnosis.

Blood test

• A 2008 study out of Indiana University published in Molecular Psychiatry journal suggests that bipolar disorder may be able to be diagnosed by a blood test.