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Diagnosis of Bipolar affective disorder

To be diagnosed as having bipolar disorder, you will normally be referred to a specialist. Often this will be a psychiatrist.

Usually, psychiatrists will use a set of guidelines developed by the American Psychiatric Association to make a diagnosis. This is called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (usually referred to as DSM). It sets out the symptoms that have to be present for a doctor to make a firm diagnosis.

The psychiatrist will also ask questions about your family history and background to see if other people in your family may have had the condition. They may also take notes of your age, when you first experienced the symptoms, and details of the exact symptoms you have had before making a diagnosis.

All this information is important in helping you to make decisions about your treatment.

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