Where to get tested for bipolar disorder

It cannot replace a full assessment nor should be used to self diagnose or decide upon a treatment plan. Speak with a member of our friendly staff in complete confidence and arrange a consultation, either face-to-face or online, at your earliest convenience. Take another of our online tests. They only take 5 minutes. Sign in to manage your care. Login to your clinician portal. In order to provide you with the best online experience, this website uses cookies. Delete cookies.

For example, an underactive thyroid or an overactive thyroid. If you have bipolar disorder, you'll need to visit your GP regularly for a physical health check. If you're diagnosed with the condition, it's important to talk to your psychiatrist.

You should be involved in the decisions about your treatment and care. These are not legally binding in Ireland. But it is always useful to plan how you would like treatment to be if you have a relapse. All treatments are developed to prevent relapses getting ill again.

You may not always be able to make informed decisions about your care or communicate your needs. Especially if your symptoms become severe. If this happens, it may be possible to draw up an advanced directive. An advanced decision directive is a set of written instructions. These state what treatments and help you want, or don't want, in advance. It is in case you can't communicate your decisions at a later stage. Free call Samaritans Read our cookies policy to find out more about cookies and how we use them.

ECT seems to cause changes in brain chemistry that can reverse symptoms of certain mental illnesses. ECT may be an option for bipolar treatment if you don't get better with medications, can't take antidepressants for health reasons such as pregnancy or are at high risk of suicide.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS is being investigated as an option for those who haven't responded to antidepressants. Treatments for children and teenagers are generally decided on a case-by-case basis, depending on symptoms, medication side effects and other factors.

Generally, treatment includes:. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. You'll probably need to make lifestyle changes to stop cycles of behavior that worsen your bipolar disorder. Here are some steps to take:. There isn't much research on alternative or complementary medicine — sometimes called integrative medicine — and bipolar disorder.

Most of the studies are on major depression, so it isn't clear how these nontraditional approaches work for bipolar disorder. If you choose to use alternative or complementary medicine in addition to your physician-recommended treatment, take some precautions first:.

You may start by seeing your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist. You may want to take a family member or friend along to your appointment, if possible, for support and to help remember information. Your doctor will likely ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them to reserve time to go over any points you want to focus on. Your doctor may ask:. Bipolar disorder care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis To determine if you have bipolar disorder, your evaluation may include: Physical exam.

Your doctor may do a physical exam and lab tests to identify any medical problems that could be causing your symptoms. Psychiatric assessment. Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist, who will talk to you about your thoughts, feelings and behavior patterns. You may also fill out a psychological self-assessment or questionnaire.

With your permission, family members or close friends may be asked to provide information about your symptoms. Mood charting. You may be asked to keep a daily record of your moods, sleep patterns or other factors that could help with diagnosis and finding the right treatment. Criteria for bipolar disorder. Your psychiatrist may compare your symptoms with the criteria for bipolar and related disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5 , published by the American Psychiatric Association.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Reilly-Harrington NA et al. Journal of Affective Disorders. Bipolar and related disorders. Arlington, Va. Accessed Dec.