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How can I get tested for bipolar disorder?
I have anxiety and depression bad, but I want to exclude the possibility that a bipolar disorder.
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#2 written by psychgrad 1 year ago
For something as serious as Bipolar disorder, you should see a clinical psychologist. Unfortunately, a lot of those quizzes primary care physicians give have a high false positive rate and medical doctors are notoriously bad at recognizing what Bipolar really is. In my experience, about 90% of people with Bipolar are misdiagnosed. So, if you want to rule that out, meet with a psychologist and ask for an evaluation.
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You need to speak with a mental health professional. Typically, a psychiatrist makes these types of diagnoses. You can ask your family doctor for a referral or contact a psychiatrist’s office directly. At your appointment, the doctor will assess the symptoms you’ve been experiencing. This is in the form of an interview. The diagnosis is based on a specific set of symptoms such as episodes of mania and depression. There are many resources available including private psychiatrists’ offices and community mental health centers. If you feel that you have any of the symptoms of bipolar disorder or any other psychiatric illness, please see a mental health professional. These disorders are treatable with proper medication and psychotherapy.