What can mimic bipolar disorder?

Cyclothymia symptoms alternate between emotional highs and lows. The highs of cyclothymia include symptoms of an elevated mood (hypomanic symptoms). The lows consist of mild or moderate depressive symptoms. Cyclothymia symptoms are similar to those of bipolar I or II disorder, but they're less severe.

What is commonly misdiagnosed as bipolar?

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 mental illness is similar to bipolar?

Cyclothymia, or cyclothymic disorder, causes mood changes – from feeling low to emotional highs. Cyclothymia has many similarities to bipolar disorder.

Can you be falsely diagnosed with bipolar?

If the manic periods are not memorable, recalled easily or frequently, it may be that the clinician bases the diagnosis on the patient's current presentation. However, even when the patient has had manic or hypomanic episodes, bipolar disorder can still be misdiagnosed.

How do you rule out bipolar disorder?

To diagnose bipolar disorder, a doctor performs a physical exam, asks about your symptoms, and recommends blood testing to determine if another condition, such as hypothyroidism, is causing your symptoms. If the doctor does not find an underlying cause of your symptoms, he or she performs a psychological evaluation.

Living with Bipolar Disorder

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 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.

Can you have bipolar symptoms but not be bipolar?

Cyclothymia symptoms alternate between emotional highs and lows. The highs of cyclothymia include symptoms of an elevated mood (hypomanic symptoms). The lows consist of mild or moderate depressive symptoms. Cyclothymia symptoms are similar to those of bipolar I or II disorder, but they're less severe.

What makes bipolar difficult to diagnose?

A major reason for the difficult diagnosis is the challenge of differentiating bipolar disorder type I or II from unipolar depression—an illness characterised by recurrent depressive episodes— especially in patients who present during a depressive episode and in those with no clear history of mania or hypomania.

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.

Why is bipolar disorder so 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 a brain tumor mimic bipolar?

Our findings indicate that slow-growing brain tumors might mimic bipolar disorder.

Can trauma trigger bipolar disorder?

Childhood traumatic events are risk factors for developing bipolar disorders, in addition to a more severe clinical presentation over time (primarily an earlier age at onset and an increased risk of suicide attempt and substance misuse).

What is soft bipolar disorder?

The severity of elated phases never reaches level of manic or manic mixed states, and remains at clinical or sub- threshold hypomanic level. Patients with soft bipolarity are often referred to as "pseudo-unipolar depression", and may go undetected for years.

What are the 4 stages of bipolar?

Can someone be mildly bipolar?

Many experts say cyclothymic disorder is a mild form of bipolar disorder.

What are symptoms of high functioning bipolar?

They often experience periods of manic “highs” and depressive “lows” that can significantly impact their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Many people seek treatment — such as medication or therapy — to cope with the condition.

What drugs can trigger bipolar disorder?

Drugs with a definite propensity to cause manic symptoms include levodopa, corticosteroids and anabolic-androgenic steroids. Antidepressants of the tricyclic and monoamine oxidase inhibitor classes can induce mania in patients with pre-existing bipolar affective disorder.

What are bipolar flare ups?

Bipolar disorder is characterized by unusual shifts in mood and energy. These shifts, called “mood episodes,” last at least a week in the case of mania (feeling extremely “up”), and at least two weeks in the case of depression (feeling extremely “down”).

Am I bipolar or just stressed?

It's normal for your mood to change in response to different situations, news, or challenges you encounter throughout a day. But if your mood shifts dramatically between extreme highs and lows, it may be a sign of bipolar disorder. Mood episodes lasting at least four days are a sign of bipolar disorder.

What does the beginning of bipolar look like?

Bipolar disorder can cause your mood to swing from an extreme high to an extreme low. Manic symptoms can include increased energy, excitement, impulsive behaviour, and agitation. Depressive symptoms can include lack of energy, feeling worthless, low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts.

At what age does bipolar show up?

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.