Bipolar Disorder vs. Depression

Bipolar disorder is frequently misdiagnosed as depression in family practice, especially in an inner city environment. This has been shown in a study done in New York City, when more than 1100 patients were screened during a 12-month period. The prevalence of bipolar disorder was 9.8%. Three-quarters of them had sought professional help previously, but only 8.4% of these were given the bipolar diagnosis.

Previous studies had estimated the prevalence of bipolar disorder at between 2.5% and 6.5%. The authors of this study suggest the high incidence they found may be related to the low economic status of their participants.

Failing to diagnose bipolar disorder correctly may be dangerous. Treating such patients with antidepressants can cause a switch into mania or hypomania, or the development of rapid cycling between depression and hypomania. On the other hand, there are good drugs for the condition that can allow the sufferer to live a full and productive life. Failure to diagnose can mean the loss of considerable time at work (an average of 65 days a year), compared to those with depression – only 27 days a year. That’s another good reason for making sure people with apparent depression are given the best specialist care available.