What happens if you are misdiagnosed as bipolar?

Consequences of Misdiagnosis

Initial misdiagnosis results in delay of appropriate treatment, which in turn increases the risk of recurrence and chronicity of episodes. As mentioned previously, the most common misdiagnosis for bipolar patients is unipolar depression.

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.

What happens if you take bipolar medication without being bipolar?

Taking an antidepressant without a mood stabilizer is likely to trigger a manic episode. Antidepressants can increase mood cycling. Many experts believe that over time, antidepressant use in people with bipolar disorder has a mood destabilizing effect, increasing the frequency of manic and depressive episodes.

Are there other disorders that can look like bipolar disorder?

A number of other mental disorders are associated with mood swings. Mental disorders which may be commonly confused with bipolar disorder include Borderline Personality Disorder , Schizoaffective Disorder, Unipolar Depression, and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.

How often are people misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder?

The most recent survey⁴ noted that 69% of patients with bipolar disorder reported an initial misdiagnosis, with more than one third experiencing a delay of 10 years or greater before receiving a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

What It's Like When BPD Is Misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder

How does bipolar get misdiagnosed?

Another reason bipolar may be misdiagnosed is if there is a more 'pressing' or immediate mental health condition that overshadows the Bipolar. For example, people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder who also have bipolar disorder may not receive an accurate diagnosis because of what is called 'diagnostic overshadowing.

What is the most misdiagnosed mental illness?

Depression was found to be the most likely misdiagnosed mental disorder instead of bipolar disorder and bipolar disorder was most likely misdiagnosed with depressive disorders [24, 25].

Can bipolar be misdiagnosed?

Bipolar disorder is a disabling psychiatric illness that is often misdiagnosed, especially on initial presentation. Misdiagnosis results in ineffective treatment, which further worsens the outcome.

What does undiagnosed 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.

Is bipolar hard to diagnose?

Bipolar disorder type II is especially difficult to diagnose accurately because of the difficulty in differentiation of this disorder from recurrent unipolar depression (recurrent depressive episodes) in depressed patients.

What are 5 signs of bipolar?

Is bipolar 1 or 2 worse?

Those with bipolar 1 experience more severe mania, whereas people with bipolar 2 may have less intense manic symptoms, and more depressive episodes. However, bipolar disorder exists on a spectrum, so it's possible your symptoms don't fit with either type 1 or 2.

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.

Can I be bipolar without mania?

Bipolar II disorder has one or more severe major depressive episodes with at least one hypomanic (“lesser mania”) episode. There are no manic episodes, but you may experience a mixed episode. Rapid-cycling bipolar disorder is a severe form of bipolar disorder.

Can an MRI detect bipolar disorder?

Currently, doctors do not use brain images to diagnose bipolar disorder. However, as research advances, more evidence may help doctors use MRI scans or other imaging technology to accurately diagnose bipolar disorder.

Can anxiety be mistaken for bipolar?

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 are the 7 signs of bipolar disorder?

What are the 10 signs of being bipolar?

Does bipolar worsen with age?

Changes in the frequency and severity of episodes are among the most evident changes in bipolar disorder at an older age. Research suggests that older adults with bipolar disorder often experience: more frequent episodes. more depressive episodes and less time spent in manic or hypomanic states.

Is bipolar disorder caused by trauma?

People who experience traumatic events are at higher risk for developing bipolar disorder. Childhood factors such as sexual or physical abuse, neglect, the death of a parent, or other traumatic events can increase the risk of bipolar disorder later in life.

Can borderline personality disorder be misdiagnosed bipolar?

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.

What tests are done for bipolar disorder?

There are no specific blood tests or brain scans to diagnose bipolar disorder. Even so, a doctor may perform a physical exam and order lab tests, including a thyroid function test and urine analyses. These tests can help determine if other conditions or factors could be causing your symptoms.

What happens if a mental illness is misdiagnosed?

A misdiagnosis will result in the patient becoming confused and potentially distraught when the course of treatment recommended isn't working. They may feel it's a personal failing, and even develop feelings of guilt or shame when they don't make progress under the diagnosis.

What are the dangers of misdiagnosis?

Medical Misdiagnosis

Some types of medical misdiagnoses are fatal, others are not as severe. A misdiagnosis can lead to your death, unnecessary pain, undue stress, additional medical complications, and anxiety. Besides your physical suffering, misdiagnosis can lead to wasted time, money, and medical procedures.

What to do when you are misdiagnosed?

Following a misdiagnosis, you can return to your regular physician to discuss the additional problems. But you do not have to take this step. Alternatively, you can pursue a second opinion from another medical care provider. However, you should act as soon as you can.