It is common to experience mood swings at some time during your life, but when mood swings become severe and chronic, they can be disruptive and harmful. Bipolar disorder is characterized by abnormally extreme episodes of depression and mania. Physicians employ a number of procedures in order to distinguish between normal emotional fluctuations and a more serious psychological condition, such as bipolar disorder.
Psychological Evaluation
Questionnaires and patient interviews are the initial methods used to test for bipolar disorders. MedlinePlus mentions questions about family history and the intensity and duration of mood swings experienced by the patient as part of the interview process.
Lab Tests
Laboratory testing of urine and blood can provide vital objective information about a person's physical condition, and possibly reveal an organic or substance abuse-related source of the individual's mood disorder.
The University of Maryland Medical Center states that substance abuse is common enough in bipolar patients to warrant a testing for illicit drug use. It is also important to note that certain organic conditions, such thyroid disorder, can also contribute to mood swings.
MedlinePlus adds that a finding of substance abuse does not necessarily rule out bipolar disorder. Drug use can be a side effect of bipolar disorder, as a result of the patient’s attempt to self-medicate.
Mood Charting
A doctor may request the patient’s involvement in monitoring the duration and frequency of mood changes. The staff at Mayo Clinic explains that this process, called “mood charting,” involves keeping written records wherein patients self-monitor their daily emotional state and keep track of other important information, such as sleep patterns.
Family History
MedlinePlus notes that an inquiry into the mental health of the patient’s family can provide information that will help doctors in diagnosing bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder has been shown to have a genetic link. The occurrence of bipolar disorder in a family member may indicate that an individual is genetically predisposed to the condition.
Imaging Tests
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, and positron-emission tomography, or PET, are two different methods currently undergoing clinical trials for detecting brain abnormalities. The University of Maryland Medical Center advises that these procedures do not currently diagnose bipolar disorder, but they may soon aid in monitoring the effectiveness of bipolar treatment and help in diagnosis.
