Misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder.
The objective of this article is to review the literature on one of the most complex topics in contemporary psychiatry-the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a disabling psychiatric illness that is often misdiagnosed, especially on initial presentation. Misdiagnosis results in ineffective treatment, which further worsens the outcome. Major contributors toward misdiagnosis include lapses in history-taking, presence of psychiatric and medical comorbidities, and limitations in diagnostic criteria. Careful screening for symptoms of hypomania/mania and clinical features suggestive of bipolarity as well as use of collateral history and screening instruments, such as mood questionnaires, might help in limiting the rate of misdiagnosis.
Singh
Tanvir
T
Dr. Singh is Assistant Professor resident from the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toledo, Health Science Campus, Toledo, Ohio.
Rajput
Muhammad
M