Diagnosing bipolar isn’t straightforward and it can take a while. It’s hard because it involves changes to your mood that happen over a really long time. Plus, bipolar can look similar to other mental health conditions. For example, if you’ve had a depressive episode but not yet experienced a manic or hypomanic episode, your doctor might diagnose you with depression. Or sometimes physical health conditions can cause similar symptoms to mania, like thyroid problems.
If you think you have bipolar disorder and your doctor has missed it, discuss this with them. You can also tell them if you disagree with their assessment in any way. And if you feel like you’re not being heard, ask for a second opinion.
Getting a diagnosis is hard but it's still important to get support. Most people who have bipolar say that getting a diagnosis made things better. So reach out for help – it could make all the difference.