‘Bipolar’ at Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life

Nineteen months and countless hours later, our Ask the Psychologist service today publishes Dr Carver’s reply to the 1000th question answered since the service launched in May 2007.

Psychiatrist Candida Fink and freelance author Joe Kraynak, co-authors of ‘Bipolar Disorder for Dummies’, have launched a new blog at Dr Fink’s site. They share self-help tips, treatment strategies, and more. It’s well worth a visit if you or someone you love has been affected by bipolar disorder.

Individuals with bipolar I or II major depression are often misdiagnosed as having unipolar major depression. But a new screening method, testing just three factors, promises to help distinguish between those suffering from bipolar disorder and unipolar major depression.

Some 60 percent of adults with bipolar disorder are misdiagnosed as just being depressed. Dr. Charles Schaffer, a Sacramento psychiatrist specializing in bipolar disorder, says simply: “That’s the problem with psychiatry. Our diagnoses are not as valid or reliable as in other specialties”.

Whether just for fun or for more serious clinical screening purposes, psychological tests and quizzes can provide independent and objective feedback about how you’re feeling. Our new section includes self-tests for depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and more. You can even test yourself for ‘internet addiction’ if you really want to! The new section also provides some information about the serious side of psychological screening, including US government guidance on depression screening.