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Bipolar disorder typically develops during the adolescent years. One of the signs of bipolar disorder is a condition known as "hypomania." During this phase there is a sudden rush of unusual energy the patient often perceives as productivity. Left untreated, however, hypomania can progress to severe mania and in some people, is followed by depression.

A true manic episode is diagnosed if an elevated mood occurs with three or more of the symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least one week. If irritability is present, then four or more symptoms are required for diagnosis.

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Doctors have come a long way in fully understanding different moods in bipolar disorder and in making an accurate diagnosis. It wasn’t that long ago when bipolar disorder was lumped together with other disorders such as schizophrenia, a serious mental illness with symptoms of incoherent speech, delusions, and hallucinations. With the greater understanding of mental disorders today, doctors can identify the signs and symptoms of bipolar depression, hypomania, and mania and most cases can be treated effectively and safely with bipolar medications.

Most of us have become used to specialized blood tests or other expensive laboratory tests to help our doctors make an accurate diagnosis. However, most lab tests or imaging tests are not useful in diagnosing bipolar disorder. In fact, the most important diagnostic tool may be talking openly with the doctor about your mood swings, behaviors, and lifestyle habits.

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People with bipolar disorder are more likely to seek help when they are depressed than when experiencing mania or hypomania.17 Therefore, a careful medical history is needed to assure that bipolar disorder is not mistakenly diagnosed as major depressive disorder, which is also called unipolar depression. Unlike people with bipolar disorder, people who have unipolar depression do not experience mania. Whenever possible, previous records and input from family and friends should also be included in the medical history.

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