Can a family physician diagnose bipolar disorder?

Primary care physicians can provide comprehensive care for patients with bipolar disorder by diagnosing and treating the psychiatric disorder and psychiatric comorbidities, providing medical care, and educating and supporting patients and their families.

What kind of doctor determines bipolar disorder?

There are many medications for treating bipolar disorder, so a psychiatrist, who is best qualified to identify which drugs work best for a specific patient, should oversee treatment. A psychiatrist is a type of medical doctor (MD or DO) with specialized training in mental health care.

How do they test you for bipolar?

There are no specific blood tests or brain scans to diagnose bipolar disorder. Even so, your doctor may perform a physical exam and order lab tests, including a thyroid function test and urine analyses. These tests can help determine if other conditions or factors could be causing your symptoms.

Can bipolar be diagnosed in one visit?

People who suspect that they have bipolar disorder should see a doctor, who will perform several tests and may refer them to a psychiatrist or psychologist for further assessment. Diagnosing bipolar disorder is difficult, as no single test can tell whether a person has bipolar disorder.

How often is bipolar misdiagnosed?

As per the survey taken by the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association (DMDA), 69 percent of patients with bipolar disorder are misdiagnosed initially and more than one-third remained misdiagnosed for 10 years or more.

Can a doctor tell you if you have bipolar disorder?

While a physical examination can reveal a patient’s overall state of health, the doctor must hear about the bipolar signs and symptoms from the patient in order to effectively diagnose and treat bipolar disorder. What does a doctor need to know to diagnose bipolar disorder?

What type of doctor should treat bipolar disorder?

There are many medications for treating bipolar disorder, so a psychiatrist, who is best qualified to identify which drugs work best for a specific patient, should oversee treatment. A psychiatrist is a type of medical doctor (MD or DO) with specialized training in mental health care. Primary care…

How many people are mistaken for bipolar disorder by doctors?

Up to 20 percent of people with bipolar disorder may be mistakenly diagnosed with depression by their primary care doctors, according to a study published in July 2011 in the British Journal of Psychiatry.

Does bipolar disorder run in families?

Bipolar disorder tends to run in families, and research suggests that certain genes may increase the risk. The condition is usually diagnosed before age 25, although some people experience symptoms for the first time later in life.