Bipolar Test

Is there a reliable bipolar test

How do bipolar screening tests work?

Why is there so much controversy about bipolar symptoms and accurate bipolar diagnosis?

The complication is that there are no specific blood tests or x-rays that can be used to diagnose bipolar disorder.

Instead, psychiatrists and other skilled clinicians test for bipolar based on the presence of certain bipolar symptoms.

These bipolar symptoms must exist over a certain period of time, and meet specific criteria, as outlined in the authoritative psychiatric practice textbook, known as the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM) - the psychiatrists source of diagnostic info on bipolar. This means that is can be very difficult to accurately diagnose bipolar disorder symptoms. According to bipolar disorder statistics, people may often go at least 10 years despite repeated medical visits before discovering they have manic-depressive illness, now more often referred to as "bipolar".

Even experienced psychiatrists sometimes lack reliable, accurate and current information about bipolar.

See our bipolar online test for a quick, reliable and professional bipolar self-test of bipolar symptoms.

Some people claim to be able to perform bipolar tests through blood and/or saliva tests for specific genes said to be indicators of likely bipolar. Others claim that bipolar can be diagnosed through MRI testing. However, these claims are NOT yet supported by solid scientific evidence.

Also, bipolar disorder is all about BEHAVIOR. If someone is not experiencing bipolar mood swings and the depressive and manic episodes that characterize the disorder - the classic bipolar symptoms - what significance is there to having a particular gene?

Because heredity plays such a strong part in bipolar, family history is very useful in making a diagnosis. In fact, understanding the role of heredity in bipolar is important in understanding why blood and saliva genetic testing is so difficult. There are approximately 10 genes associated with bipolar, but no particular gene or combination of genes is predictive of the illness.

Consider this important info on bipolar:

In identical twin studies, only 57% of the time do both twins develop the disorder. If genetic testing was the key, 100% of the time both twins would exhibit the same bipolar symptoms. Instead, genes seem to combine with brain chemistry and life experience, especially stress, to produce bipolar symptoms in ways we do not fully understand yet. This is why testing has to focus on symptoms and behavior. Currently the FTC warns consumers against at home genetic testing, and some states are moving to restrict their availability.

The Black Dog Institute, a leading mental health research organization, provide an excellent bipolar test and other info on bipolar.

So am I bipolar?

What else is involved? See Am I Bipolar?

The main point here is that even the best pen and pencil (or online equivalent) bipolar test is not enough for a definitive diagnosis.

A skilled psychiatrist will want to discuss family history, and take a very thorough individual life cycle history to see if here are events and/or patterns that track with classic bipolar signs and symptoms. This technique involves drawing up a "life chart" and it is helpful to include a close friend or family member who can provide an objective perspective.

Bipolar Disorder Quiz

Try our Bipolar Disorder Quiz.

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