Bipolar Condition: Correct Diagnosis Is A Must

Quite often, the bipolar disorder condition occurs not in isolation, but together with other conditions and symptoms that mark the presence of other psychiatric disorders. In children or young adults, the bipolar condition may come together with any of the following: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, ODD or oppositional defiant disorder, anxiety disorder, eating disorders, and even Tourette’s syndrome.

The best treatment requires an early and precise diagnosis. The correct diagnosis provides for correct treatment. The correct diagnosis prevents the possibility of a misplaced treatment even worsening the condition. It will be quite possible (with due respect) for a physician to make the mistake of focusing on the obvious symptoms without looking for the underlying ones. If a mis-diagnosis of mere depression is given, the natural recourse is to prescribe anti-depressants. But if the condition is bipolar disorder, there is also a need to address the mania and not focus only on the depression.

Bipolar Conditions may be Mistaken for ADHD and Other Disorders

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) can be mistaken as the primary culprit when in fact a bipolar condition remains. Anyone who is restless or fidgety, impulsive and distracted, is more often than not diagnosed as having ADHD instead of having bipolar disorder.

Major depression can also be a mis-diagnosis for initial mood disorders. The manic side may be lost in the quick decision to tag it as a depression. The problem is that with a depression diagnosis, and a succeeding antidepressant prescription, not everyone reacts favorably to antidepressants. And this is not to mention the possibility that the manic or hypomanic reaction to the antidepressant medication is very high. Deterioration in the bipolar condition is possible with the wrong diagnosis and the wrong treatment prescription.

There are also symptoms of OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder that are diagnosed, only to be found out later that there is a worse bipolar condition underneath. It is not enough to treat the obsessive symptoms; the bipolar condition needs to be treated, too. The danger lies again in the possibility that OCD treatment or medication may result in the patient’s developing further mania or hypomania.

Careful Diagnosis is very Important

Diagnosis should include a comprehensive study of the family’s medical history. If the history shows that there were mood disorders, suicide cases, or incidences of alcoholism or drug abuse, these are warning signs that should alarm the doctor making the diagnosis. The genetic components are there and the prevalence of bipolar disorder resulting therefrom is also likely.

Again, bipolar condition symptoms need to be looked at closely. The very common symptoms of a bipolar disorder condition like anxiety, rages and temper tantrums, irritability, rapid cycling of mood swings, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, restlessness, racing thoughts, aggression, delusions of grandeur, depression, lethargy, lack of self-esteem, social anxiety, and a number of other symptoms must be considered very carefully. There are other common symptoms of a bipolar disorder like bedwetting, night terrors, rapid speech, obsessive behavior, compulsiveness, learning disabilities, increased sexual urge or activity, bullying, and suicidal thoughts.

Understanding the Puzzle

Breaking the code of the bipolar condition relies on breaking the barrier between patient and doctor. The rapport that must be built with the patient and the patient’s family will make a difference in correct diagnosis. The doctor must be made fully aware of the medical history, the occurrences of mania or depression, the exact details of family histories, the frequency and recurrence of the highs and lows of bipolar disorder – all these must be looked at in light of available and more practicable medication and therapy to be introduced.

The overlap of the bipolar condition with other seeming symptoms of other conditions is likely to happen. When it does, it is incumbent upon the doctor and the patient’s family to make the case that it is or it is not bipolar disorder. The bipolar condition will have to be ruled out only after all the other disorders have been ruled out based on analysis of the symptoms.