If your GP suspects that you have bipolar disorder, they will usually refer you to a psychiatrist (a medically qualified mental health specialist).
If there is a risk that you could harm yourself as a result of your illness, your GP will arrange for you to have an appointment immediately.
Specialist assessment
You will be assessed at your appointment. The psychiatrist will ask you a number of questions to determine whether you have bipolar disorder and, if so, what treatments will be most suitable for you.
During the assessment, you will be asked about your symptoms and when you first experienced them. The psychiatrist will also ask you about how you usually feel leading up to and during an episode of mania or depression, and whether you have had thoughts about harming yourself.
The psychiatrist will also want to find out about your medical background and family history, to determine whether any of your relatives have had bipolar disorder. If someone else in your family has the condition, the psychiatrist may want to talk to them. However, they will ask for your agreement before doing so.
Other tests
Depending on your symptoms, you may also need tests to see whether you have a physical problem, such as an underactive thyroid or overactive thyroid.
If you have bipolar disorder, you will need to visit your GP regularly for a physical health check.
Advanced directives
If you are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it is important to discuss your condition with the psychiatrist so you are fully involved in the decisions about your treatment and care.
However, in some cases, a person may not be able to make an informed decision about their care, or to communicate their needs. This might be the case if their symptoms become severe. In such situations, it may be possible to draw up an advanced directive.
An advanced directive is a set of written instructions that state what treatments and help you want (or do not want) in advance in case you cannot communicate your decisions at a later stage. Your GP or psychiatrist will be able to give you further help and advice about this.
