Bipolar Disorder Diagnosis Appointment — What to Prepare
Bipolar disorder diagnosis requires careful assessment of mood episodes (depression and elevated mood), not just depression alone. Many people are misdiagnosed with depression for years before manic or hypomanic episodes are recognised. Your psychiatric assessment benefits enormously from a detailed mood history and family information.
Reviewed by the Brief My Doctor editorial team · Last updated June 2026
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What to tell your doctor
- 1Episodes of depression: how long, severity, what you felt and did
- 2Episodes of elevated mood: faster speech, racing thoughts, decreased need for sleep, increased energy, risky behaviours, grandiosity
- 3Timing: when did episodes occur, how often, how long did they last
- 4Triggers: stress, sleep disruption, medication changes, seasonal patterns
- 5Impact on work, relationships, finances, or safety during elevated mood episodes
- 6Any periods where you felt "normal" between episodes
- 7Family history: bipolar, depression, schizophrenia, suicide, or substance abuse
- 8Previous treatments: medications, therapy, hospitalisations
Questions to ask your doctor
- Q1.Do you think I have bipolar 1 or bipolar 2?
- Q2.What is the difference, and does it matter for treatment?
- Q3.What medications stabilise mood?
- Q4.What are the side effects of mood stabilisers?
- Q5.Should I see a therapist in addition to medication?
- Q6.How long before medication works?
- Q7.What should I do if I feel a manic or depressive episode coming on?
- Q8.Can I work, drive, and live normally with bipolar disorder?
Don't forget to bring
- ✓Timeline of mood episodes: dates, duration, severity, what you experienced
- ✓Family history of bipolar, depression, schizophrenia, or suicide
- ✓Previous treatment responses: medications you have tried
- ✓Any hospitalisations or crisis situations
- ✓Impact on your life: work, relationships, finances, safety during episodes
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