

Question: Are there particular symptoms that are more likely than others to indicate bipolar disorder?

Answer: Clinicians use a standard set of questions to diagnose bipolar disorder and I think if people have periods of being significantly elevated or irritable and have lost of mood swings, lots of impulsive behavior, or risk taking behavior, periods where they don't need very much sleep, things of that sort, I think that would be something that would raise concern for bipolar disorder.

I think in general if someone's having lots of swings in their mood, or lots of changes in their mood, and they're concerned or someone else is concerned, that's probably enough to suggest that that person should get an evaluation.

Next: How Can I Tell The Difference Between "Mood Swings" And Bipolar Disorder?


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