Bipolar disorder is diagnosed as any other mental disorder is, through a simple symptom checklist administered informally by a mental health professional. While a family physician or general practitioner can screen for bipolar disorder, it is best diagnosed and treated by a trained, experienced mental health professional (like a psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychotherapist). Such a professional will ask you about your symptoms, your family history, and take a brief history about what’s been going on in your life.

There are no laboratory or medical tests for bipolar disorder. It not defined as a traditional medical disease, like diabetes or cancer. Instead, it’s classified as a “mental disorder,” meaning it is composed of a constellation of symptoms.

Bipolar disorder is often diagnosed based on the following:

Initial assessment

The professional will ask about your symptoms — when they started, how long they have lasted, how severe they are, whether you have had them before, and if so, whether the symptoms were treated and what treatment was given. You will also be asked about your medical and family history. In rare cases or for underage children, the mental health professional may wish to interview your family members and/or other persons close to you.

Psychological evaluation

After you see your regular healthcare provider, a mental health professional is probably the best person to evaluate your symptoms. Diagnosis of bipolar disorder is based on:

• Presence of symptoms over time
• Absence of medications that could cause mood symptoms or medical or neurological illness that may look like bipolar disorder
• Family history of bipolar disorder

Mania is diagnosed if abnormally elevated mood (lasting at least one week) occurs with three or more of the other symptoms of mania. If your mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.

Depression is diagnosed if depressed mood or loss of interest in pleasure occurs every day (or nearly every day) over the last two weeks, and is accompanied by five or more of the symptoms.

A diagnostic evaluation may include a mental status exam to determine if your speech, thought patterns, or memory have been affected, as sometimes happens in the case of bipolar disorder.

You may also be evaluated for other psychiatric conditions such as anxiety disorders and alcohol or drug abuse.

Physical exam

If you are initially seen by your family doctor or general practitioner, they may also give you a physical exam. You may be given several laboratory tests to rule out other causes for your moods and behavior such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism . If a physical cause for your symptoms is ruled out, you may be referred to a psychiatrist for a psychological evaluation.

What's Related

• How is Bipolar Disorder Diagnosed?
• Risk Factors for Bipolar Disorder
• Bipolar Risk Factors
• Rory’s Story with Bipolar Disorder
• Who Gets Bipolar Disorder?
• Anthony’s Story with Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Major Depression
• Bipolar Disorder Can Be Mistaken for ADHD
• Types of Depression
• Frequently Asked Questions about Bipolar Disorder