What Tests (Blood Tests, Genetic Tests, Brain Scans, Etc.) Are Used To Diagnose Bipolar Disorder?

Dr. Ramon Solhkhah answers the question: 'Tests To Diagnose Bipolar Disorder?'

By
Ramon Solhkhah, M.D., Director, Division of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, St. Luke's and Roosevelt Hospitals
April 29, 2008, 1:09 PM ET
1 min read

— -- Question: What tests (blood tests, genetic tests, brain scans, etc.) are used to diagnose bipolar disorder?

Answer: So, which tests are used is actually an easy question to answer, because the answer is none.

The diagnosis of bipolar disorder is a clinical one, and made in consultation with your mental health professional.

So there are no blood tests, there are no genetic tests, there are no brain scans, EEGs -- things like that that would be useful. Certainly those tests might be ordered as part of a general evaluation and workup to make sure that there are no other medical conditions that could be causing the symptoms of bipolar disorder, but ultimately, bipolar disorder is a clinical one made in discussion with your physician.

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