Can you be diagnosed with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder?

Major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are two separate conditions — you can’t be diagnosed with both at the same time. But that’s because diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder II includes MDD.

Can bipolar 1 and 2 be diagnosed?

It is possible for someone to be diagnosed as having bipolar 2, and then to have an episode of mania that changes their diagnosis to bipolar 1. Prevalence of depressive episodes is another difference between bipolar 1 and 2. A bipolar 2 diagnosis requires a patient to experience one or more depressive episodes.

Why do you think bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as major depressive disorder?

So why is misdiagnosis so prevalent? Andy’s essay describes one of the most common reasons: people tend to seek out help during depressive phases and focus solely on those symptoms. “The manic side of bipolar disorder isn’t always bothersome to people,” explains Jeremy Schwartz, a psychotherapist in Brooklyn, New York.

Can a therapist diagnose you with bipolar disorder?

Specialists such as psychiatrists or psychologists perform these evaluations, as they have more experience in diagnosing and treating these types of conditions. Once the mental health specialist has tested the person and finds that they meet the criteria for bipolar disorder, treatment can begin.

Is bipolar depression different from bipolar disorder?

The main difference between the two is that depression is unipolar, meaning that there is no “up” period, but bipolar disorder includes symptoms of mania.

How often is bipolar misdiagnosed?

As per the survey taken by the National Depressive and Manic-Depressive Association (DMDA), 69 percent of patients with bipolar disorder are misdiagnosed initially and more than one-third remained misdiagnosed for 10 years or more.

How do you spot a bipolar episode?

Mania

1. feeling very happy, elated or overjoyed.
2. talking very quickly.
3. feeling full of energy.
4. feeling self-important.
5. feeling full of great new ideas and having important plans.
6. being easily distracted.
7. being easily irritated or agitated.
8. being delusional, having hallucinations and disturbed or illogical thinking.