What is bipolar disorder commonly confused with?

As mentioned previously, the most common misdiagnosis for bipolar patients is unipolar depression. An incorrect diagnosis of unipolar depression carries the risk of inappropriate treatment with antidepressants, which can result in manic episodes and trigger rapid cycling.


What can be mistaken for bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder can be confused with other conditions, such as depression, schizophrenia, BPD, anxiety, and ADHD. Detecting and diagnosing bipolar disorder may take some time. But getting a correct, early diagnosis often results in better outcomes.

Is it possible to be misdiagnosed with bipolar?

As a consequence, Schwartz says, those with bipolar disorder are often misdiagnosed as having depression and may be given inappropriate treatment. “When bipolar disorder is missed, people can be put on medication that actually worsens the manic symptoms,” Schwartz says.


Why is bipolar disorder so commonly misdiagnosed what are some of the issues associated with misdiagnosis in general?

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.

What is the most misdiagnosed disorder?

Bipolar is one of the most frequently misdiagnosed mental health issues. Somewhere between 1.4 and 6.4 percent of people worldwide are affected by bipolar disorder. However, it's hard to say which number is more accurate due to the frequency of wrongful diagnosis.


Bipolar disorder (depression & mania) - causes, symptoms, treatment & pathology



What can be mistaken for mental illness?

Six Diseases Often Mistaken for Mental Disorders
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. ...
  • Lyme Disease. ...
  • Thyroid Disorder. ...
  • Syphilis. ...
  • Obstructive Sleep Apnea. ...
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors.


What mental illnesses are commonly misdiagnosed?

Most Commonly Misdiagnosed Mental Illnesses
  • Major depressive disorder (depression)
  • Bipolar disorder.
  • Schizophrenia.
  • Anxiety disorders.
  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)


What is the most noticeable manifestation of bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder is characterised by extreme mood swings. These can range from extreme highs (mania) to extreme lows (depression). Episodes of mania and depression often last for several weeks or months.


Why is bipolar so hard to diagnose?

Bipolar disorder can be an elusive disorder for doctors to identify because the symptoms can vary widely and is often masked or exacerbated by other factors such as concurrent drug use or remission of symptoms. Stigma makes it even more difficult for people to get help.

Can bipolar be mistaken for anxiety?

Bipolar disorder and anxiety are two mental health conditions that can look and feel similar. Some people also experience anxiety and bipolar disorder together. The differences come in the triggers behind the overarching symptoms.

What is a symptom of bipolar I disorder but not bipolar II disorder?

The main difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2 disorders lies in the severity of the manic episodes caused by each type. A person with bipolar 1 will experience a full manic episode, while a person with bipolar 2 will experience only a hypomanic episode (a period that's less severe than a full manic episode).


Can drugs mimic bipolar disorder?

Some substances can cause the symptoms of a mood disorder. These may actually be prescription medications to which the individual has a reaction, causing adverse side effects that mimic bipolar disorder. Alcohol and drug abuse can also induce bipolar symptoms.

What does undiagnosed bipolar look like?

The main sign of bipolar disorder is extreme mood swings that go from emotional highs to emotional lows. Manic episodes cause people to seem very energetic, euphoric, or irritable. During depressive episodes, your loved one may seem sad, upset, or tired all the time.

How do I know I don't have bipolar disorder?

To receive a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, you must experience at least one period of mania or hypomania. These both involve feelings of excitement, impulsivity, and high energy, but hypomania is considered less severe than mania. Mania symptoms can affect your day-to-day life, leading to problems at work or home.


What is worse than being bipolar?

Schizophrenia causes symptoms that are more severe than the symptoms of bipolar disorder. People with schizophrenia experience hallucinations and delusions.

Am I bipolar or is it just ADHD?

Bipolar disorder is primarily a mood disorder. ADHD affects attention and behavior; it causes symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While ADHD is chronic or ongoing, bipolar disorder is usually episodic, with periods of normal mood interspersed with depression, mania, or hypomania.

What do doctors look for when diagnosing bipolar?

“To make a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, you have to see either a manic or a hypomanic episode,” says Ben Michaelis, PhD, a psychologist in New York City. These manic symptoms are ultimately what distinguishes bipolar disorder from unipolar depression.


What age is bipolar usually diagnosed?

Although bipolar disorder can occur at any age, typically it's diagnosed in the teenage years or early 20s. Symptoms can vary from person to person, and symptoms may vary over time.

What is the average age for bipolar diagnosis?

The average age-of-onset is about 25, but it can occur in the teens, or more uncommonly, in childhood. The condition affects men and women equally, with about 2.8% of the U.S. population diagnosed with bipolar disorder and nearly 83% of cases classified as severe.

What are the red flags of bipolar disorder?

Talking rapidly, sudden changes in topic, or “leaps of logic.” Having more energy than usual, especially if needing little sleep. Being intensely focused, or finding it hard to focus. Involuntary facial movements, such as twitches or mouthing.


What can trigger bipolar disorder?

A stressful circumstance or situation often triggers the symptoms of bipolar disorder. Examples of stressful triggers include: the breakdown of a relationship. physical, sexual or emotional abuse.

How do I know if I'm on the bipolar spectrum?

Bipolar spectrum disorder involves a wide range of signs and symptoms that can vary in severity. These symptoms may include mood swings, changes in energy levels and ways of thinking, and sleep disruption. Some mental health experts have described bipolar disorder as a spectrum disorder.

What is the most undiagnosed mental illness?

Impacting an estimated 300 million people, depression is the most-common mental disorder and generally affects women more often than men.


What is borderline personality disorder most commonly misdiagnosed as?

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.

What are the 3 most common diagnosed mental illnesses?

The most common are anxiety disorders major depression and bipolar disorder.