Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that results in alternating mood swings; it is a serious condition, and if not properly treated, can be devastating. If a doctor suspects that a patient may have bipolar disorder, the following medical and psychological tests will be administered.
Physical Medical Exam
A basic medication examination is conducted to rule out other diseases and conditions that may be causing symptoms similar to those caused by bipolar disorder.
Blood Tests
The doctor will probably draw blood to use for various tests such as a CBC (complete blood count), thyroid test and any other tests the doctor may feel are necessary to rule out other conditions.
Urinalysis
The doctor may also ask for a urine sample to test for any abnormalities, or to see if a patient has used any illicit drugs that may be causing bipolar-like symptoms.
Psychological Evaluations
The doctor may ask the patient to complete psychological questionnaires, get family medical histories to check for inherited traits, and ask about current and past feelings, thoughts, and patterns of behavior to determine if the patient has indeed had at least one manic and one depressive episode.
Outside Referrals
The doctor or the patient may feel that additional treatment is needed. In that case, the doctor can make referrals to a psychiatrist, who will also make a diagnosis based on the patient's medical history and description of symptoms.
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