Why is bipolar disorder commonly misdiagnosed?

Patients with bipolar disorder are often misdiagnosed as having unipolar depression in many circumstances. The reason is related to clinicians or patients lacking knowledge about manic and hypomanic symptoms.

Can bipolar be misdiagnosed as BPD?

BPD Looks Like So Many Other Mental Health Conditions In particular, there is evidence that BPD is commonly misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder, Type 2. One study showed that 40\% of people who met criteria for BPD but not for bipolar disorder were nevertheless misdiagnosed with Bipolar Type 2.

Is it possible to be misdiagnosed?

An estimated 12 million Americans a year are misdiagnosed with a condition they don’t have. In approximately half of those cases, the misdiagnosis has the potential to result in severe harm. Misdiagnoses can have serious consequences on a person’s health.

How do you know if you’re hypomanic?

Symptoms of hypomania elevated self-esteem, high self-confidence, or feelings of grandiosity. less need for sleep, such as feeling rested after only 3 hours of sleep. feeling more talkative than usual or feeling a pressure to keep talking. racing thoughts or quickly-changing ideas.

Can borderline personality disorder be misdiagnosed bipolar?

Is there a link between bipolar and dementia?

We found that a history of bipolar disorder significantly increases the risk of dementia in older adults. Our results provide robust evidence that mood disorders in general, and not only major depressive disorders, are associated with increased risk of dementia (17,18).

Does bipolar disorder get worse with age?

Bipolar may worsen with age or overtime if this condition is left untreated. As time goes on, a person may experience episodes that are more severe and more frequent than when symptoms first appeared.

Can a bipolar disorder diagnosis be misdiagnosed as depression?

In addition, some younger people with bipolar disorder may have experienced depression but not yet had a manic episode. So a misdiagnosis of depression is sometimes given simply because a person has not yet experienced mania.

Which diagnoses are most often confused with bipolar disorder?

I find that the three diagnoses which are most often confused with bipolar disorder or potentially coexist and therefore interfere with the diagnosis are: 1) unipolar depression, 2) attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder and 3) the group of personality disorders.

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.

Are You concerned that you may have bipolar disorder?

Russ Federman Ph.D., A.B.P.P. Across the web you’ll find increasing attention being given to the identification of bipolar mood symptoms and patterns. Solid educational information is important for those who are concerned that they may have bipolar disorder. Even the best diagnosticians find that arriving at the diagnosis is a difficult endeavor.