Misdiagnosis of Bipolar Disorder

Although many illnesses are relatively easy tofollowing illnesses:o Depressiono Schizophreniao
diagnose and treat, disorders that affect the brainSubstance abuseo Psychotic disorderso Thyroid
are often complicated and difficult to identify.disorder or hyperthyroidismo Antisocial personality
Illnesses like bipolar disorder often have symptomsdisorder
that vary greatly or are very similar to otherPatients often have difficulty explaining their
problems that plague the brain.symptoms to physicians, often causing more
If a medical professional fails to correctly diagnose anconfusion in the diagnosis. If you are suffering from
illness or disorder, the patient may suffer seriousan illness and have not received a diagnosis, make
consequences like further injury or even death. It issure to explain your symptoms as carefully and
the responsibility of doctors and physicians tothoroughly as possible to help your doctor avoid
correctly identify and treat bipolar disorder beforemaking a mistake with the diagnosis. It is important
the patient suffers even more. If you have sufferedto remember that only you can truly explain what
injury due to misdiagnosis by your doctor, you mayyou are feeling to your doctor, and by correctly
be eligible for financial compensation for your pain andidentifying what you are experiencing, you may be
suffering.able to increase your chances of successful
Bipolar disorder is especially hard to diagnose becausetreatment.
many of the symptoms that are commonlyDoctors and other medical personnel have taken an
associated with the illness are also commonly seen inoath to help their patients to the best of their
other brain disorders and problems. Individuals whoabilities. It is important for physicians to avoid
suffer from manic-depressive illness often reportmistakes at all costs, especially when it comes to
symptoms including:o Intense mood changes includingdiagnosis and treatment of disorders. If a brain
"manic" episodes and "depressive" episodeso Severedisorder goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed by a
depressiono Agitationo Impulsivenesso High riskdoctor, the patient may end up suffering severe
behavioro Restlessnesso Irritabilityo Sleeplessnessoinjury as a result.
Suicidal thoughtsIf you would like to know more about bipolar
One of the major obstacles for many medicaldisorder and misdiagnosis, visit the website of the
professionals is the similarities between the disorderPennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers of
and other diseases of the brain. Doctors commonlyLowenthal & Abrams.
associate symptoms of the disorder with the