How to get a bipolar disorder diagnosis in the UK
Find out the steps to getting a bipolar disorder diagnosis, including what happens during a bipolar disorder assessment and what might happen after.
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that's characterised by extreme mood changes, from manic highs to depressive lows. Understanding these symptoms and getting a diagnosis can be a life-changing step towards managing the condition.
Here’s a guide on how to get diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the UK.
Understand the symptoms
Before seeking a diagnosis, it can be useful to learn as much about bipolar disorder as you can. Having a better understanding of the condition will help during the diagnosis process, as well as helping you to better understand yourself and the challenges you face.
Common symptoms of bipolar disorder include:
- Elevated mood
- Irritability over small things
- Increased self-confidence
- More talkative nature
- Decreased self-confidence
- Inability to make decisions
- Altered sleep patterns
- Negative thoughts about life
How to get diagnosed with bipolar disorder
Visit your GP or contact a private specialist
The first step is to make an appointment to see your GP. In your appointment, you can discuss the symptoms you’ve been experiencing, the impact it’s having on your life, your medical history, and any other relevant factors.
It’s important to note that your GP won't be able to give you a formal diagnosis for bipolar disorder. This needs to be done by a mental health specialist, like a consultant psychiatrist. This would be done as part of a specialist assessment, which your GP can refer you to.
They'll be able to arrange an appointment for you if:
- You’ve been experiencing depression
- You’ve ever felt very excited or not in control of your mood or behaviour for at least 4 days in a row
As an alternative, you can also approach a private provider of mental health services like Priory. We can offer assessments, diagnosis and treatment for bipolar disorder with leading mental health specialists, without the need to gain a referral from a GP first.
Have an assessment
For your assessment, you’ll meet with a member of a specialist mental health team who are trained in assessing and delivering treatment for people with bipolar disorder.
The specialist will use the assessment to establish if your symptoms are being caused by bipolar disorder. To do this, they’ll ask you a series of questions that cover your:
- Thoughts and feelings
- Behaviours and anything you find difficult to do
- Relationships with friends and family
- Lifestyle
- Physical and mental health, specifically if you have any other conditions that might also be playing a role
Next steps
Following your assessment, if the specialist believes that you do have bipolar disorder, they should then begin to draw up a treatment plan that can help you to manage your condition.
Effective treatment for bipolar disorder includes:
- Residential inpatient care: for the most severe cases of bipolar, you might be advised to come to stay in one of our residential inpatient facilities, which have been purpose-built for people in recovery from mental health issues. This allows you to move away from the stresses and anxieties of normal life and focus fully on getting back on track
- Therapy: therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT) are designed to recognise any negative thought patterns and behaviours that are contributing to your bipolar disorder, and help you develop more positive and sustainable replacements for them
- Medication: certain medication can be used, together with other treatment, to help manage your symptoms and keep you focused on recovery. Common medications used in bipolar disorder include mood stabilisers like lithum, which helps to regulate the highs and lows of bipolar disorder
Treatment will also include teaching you coping strategies for bipolar disorder that can help you manage symptoms as and when they occur, as well as information on what to do if you’re in a crisis.
Questions you might be asked during a bipolar disorder assessment
Here are some typical questions you might be asked during your assessment:
- Duration and frequency: how often do you experience episodes of highs and lows, and how long do they typically last?
- Impact on daily life: how do these mood changes affect your daily activities or relationships?
- Sleep patterns: have you noticed any disruptions in your sleep? Do you sleep too much during some periods and too little during others?
- Risky behaviours: during your 'high' phases, do you engage in risky behaviours or overspend?
- Family history: is there a history of mental health conditions in your family?
Benefits of getting diagnosed with bipolar disorder
If you have any nerves around attending a bipolar disorder assessment and getting a diagnosis, know that these feelings are perfectly normal. There are many benefits to taking these steps and receiving a diagnosis:
- Personal understanding: knowing you have bipolar disorder can provide clarity. It helps you understand yourself a little better, and puts you on a pathway to better wellbeing
- Tailored treatment plans: once you know the problem, you can receive effective treatment that matches your symptoms. This tailored approach will help you gain control of your condition and overcome it faster
- Support and community: a diagnosis can be a gateway to a supportive community. Joining support groups or engaging in group therapy can make managing the disorder more navigable
- Preventing further complications: early diagnosis and treatment can prevent the disorder from escalating and causing further complications down the line
- Empowerment: while a diagnosis might seem overwhelming initially, in the long run, it empowers people. Understanding your condition means you can actively participate in your care, ensuring that you take steps towards a healthier future
Bipolar disorder can have a profound impact on your day-to-day life. However, bipolar disorder treatment can help you to manage your symptoms and live your life to the fullest. Treatment for bipolar disorder usually consists of a combination of therapeutic methods, including CBT and carefully controlled medication.
Get in touch today and find out how Priory can support you to cope with your bipolar disorder.