Daily Question is excerpted from the JustAnswer archives and features information provided from an expert on JustAnswer.
Q: How do you know if you have bipolar disorder?
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A: While it does not replace a diagnosis by your psychiatrist, here is a link where you may take the Goldberg Screening Test for Bipolar Disorder and find comprehensive information about the condition, including effective treatment.
You will be given a scale to interpret your score. If you score in the bipolar spectrum, then print out your test and take it to your next appointment with your psychiatrist. I think you will find the information on this site clear and easy to understand.
– Answer from Eleanor K., psychotherapist and expert on JustAnswer.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
More often than not, you can't. Many people with bipolar live fairly normal lives. Bipolar disorder can be difficult to diagnose because there is no blood test or brain scan that can detect it. It also has a long history of being either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. I recommend leaving the diagnosing to the professionals. Every person has ups and downs, but bi-polar disorder is a persistant and debilitating disease that requires treatment.
The biggest deterrent keeping bipolar individuals from receiving the help they need is that the person is in denial of accepting treatment.
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