How do they check for bipolar

[hazyworld]

How would you find out if you are bipolar and can you only feel down no highs,,,or do u have to have highs  i have the racing thoughts and trouble concentrating and i have been treated for anxiety and depression buit have such a fear of meds im not gettting any bettter,,are benzos bad if u are bipolar..my dr had me fill out a 11 page true od false questionaure

[cowgirlnerd]

Personally, I have this time and times past also, taken a patient survey on a computer thing and then with my medical/psychiatric history, talked with my psychiatrist.  He diagnosed me firmly after reviewing the results of my patient survey, talking with me for a few sessions, and reviewed my history.   My medical doctor had mentioned that he thought that I was - but my psychiatrist actually did the diagnosis - my MD wasn't qualified for the diagnosis.  He did, however, consult with my psychiatrist on my medical history and his experiences with me, after I agreed to allow them to work together on my history.  

Most BP's go to get help during the depressive cycle, that's why we are diagnosed most often with depression first.  The mania is sometimes a relief, so we don't seek treatment during those times.  It takes a psychiatrist looking at all aspects not just the depression to get the correct diagnosis.   Our family/friends often help that along by seeing the mania as you getting better - when in actuality, you aren't better, it's just another manifestation of the illness.

It's not a pee in the cup kinda thing.   Didn't they diagnose you as BP?    

[bernie40]

Only a psychiatrist can give you a firm diagnosis.  Your regular Dr may well use the questionnaire to look for indicators to help decide whether or not you require a referral to a mental health expert/psychiatrist.  It depends on where you live on whether you are able to self refer or whether you have to have your regular Dr do the referral for you.

Your regular Dr will also look at your medical history.  Your reg. Dr cannot diagnose you however and if he/she suggests that you may have BP or other mental health illness than insist that you be referred so that you can receive the correct diagnosis and treatment.

[monkeyc]

See a psychiatrist.

Those questionnaires are basically worthless for diagnosis but GP's and Family Doctors love them - I refuse to do them and no psychiatrist will use them in my experience.

The only person who can make a diagnosis of a mental illness is a mental health specialist - a psychiatrist is best.

[LetaB]

   This is exactly the reason that the majority of bipolars with largely depressive symptoms are so much later to be diagnosed correctly. Many members here were diagnosed first as being depressed (including myself) and why wouldn't we be? If it weren't for the fits of anxiety and anger I get I would hardly even be B.P. Originally I was diagnosed as A.D.D. because of my inability to concentrate. Many meds that work well for those who are truly suffering strictly from depression work terricly for B.P.s - often that's one way we get diagnosed correctly. What sort of test did you take and what were the results?