In Bipolar Disorder For Dummies, we point out that as part of the initial work up for bipolar disorder you really should have a complete physical first to rule out any potential medical issues. Other possible diagnoses that may be considered by your doctor include the following:

• Thyroid malfunction
• Hormone imbalances
• Diabetes
• Mononucleosis
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
• Lupus
• Cancer
• Cushing’s Syndrome
• Hepatitis
• HIV/AIDS
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Medication or other substances that could have triggered symptoms

Sometimes we wonder whether doctors, including psychiatrists, follow the proper protocol in diagnosing bipolar disorder. Before diagnosing you and prescribing any medication, did your doctor perform a physical exam or refer you to an internist/specialist and/or order various tests to rule out medical issues that may have been causing symptoms of mania or depression?

What was the diagnostic process like for you?

Doctor image available from Shutterstock.

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From Psych Central's website:
How Were You Diagnosed? – PsychCentral.com (blog) - Medical treatment News (November 16, 2011)

From Psych Central's World of Psychology:
Best of the Blogs: November 18, 2011 | World of Psychology (November 18, 2011)

    Last reviewed: 15 Nov 2011