How is Bipolar Disorder diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on the patient's self-reported experiences and observation of abnormalities in behaviour that may be reported by family members, friends or co-workers, as well as secondary symptoms observed by a psychiatrist, nurse, social worker, clinical psychologist or other clinician in a clinical assessment. The most commonly used criteria for diagnosing bipolar disorder are from the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and the World Health Organization's International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. (see also Categorized External Information on Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms and Diagnosis)
Currently there are no biological tests to confirm bipolar disorder; however other tests may be run to exclude other medical illnesses that might affect a proper diagnosis.
"Bipolar disorder" Wikipedia. Wikipedia. 26 Dec. 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder#Diagnosis>.
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