Bipolar Test

Is there a reliable bipolar test? How do bipolar screening tests work? Why is there so much controversy about accurate bipolar diagnosis?

The complication is that there are no specific blood tests or x-rays that can be done to diagnose bipolar disorder. Instead, psychiatrists and other skilled clinicians diagnose the illness based on the presence of certain bipolar symptoms. These symptoms must exist over a certain period of time, and meet specfic criteria, as outlined in the authoritative psychiatric practice textbook, known as the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM).

This means that is can be very difficult to accurately diagnose bipolar disorder. According to bipolar 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".

See our bipolar online test for a quick, reliable and professional self-test. Another great source of information is this Fact Sheet Self-Testing for Bipolar Disorder.

Some people claim to be able to diagnose bipolar 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, what significance is there to having a particular gene?

Because heredity plays such a strong part in bipolar, family history is also 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 gene or combination of genes is predictive of the illness. 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 be bipolar. Instead, genes seem to combine with brain chemistry and life experience, especially stress, to produce the disorder, 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. The other well established test we recommend is the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) - you can access it here for a reliable online self bipolar screening test.

Know enough about bipolar to take a test? Try our Bipolar Quiz.

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