Is bipolar disorder a specific disease which can be objectively diagnosed?

Is it like cancer, Lou Gehrig disease, or emphysema, which is determined by clinical tests? Or is it like depression, alcoholism, or disassociative disorders, in which the diagnosis is open to intrepretion?

I don't think its a specific disease as there are many categories under it (Bipolar I and II etc)... but there are a set of typical symptoms which ranges in severity and variety per individual...as well Bipolar disorder sometimes is paired with other disorders. (People suffer from more than one disorder making it difficult to diagnose) So it's definitely open to interpretation and should only be diagnosed by a professional.

http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/...

Unfortunately----diagnosed by professional according to symptoms and characteristics displayed and categorized by DSM.

Tags

　　Lung Transplantation 　　Lung Diseases 　　Lung Cancer 　　Lumpectomy 　　Low Vision 　　Low Blood Sugar 　　Lou Gehrig Disease 　　Long-Term Care 　　Living Wills 　　Liver Transplantation 　　Liver Spots 　　Liver Diseases 　　Liver Cirrhosis

Related information

I have a twitch in my left calf muscle and my eye lid. could this be Lou Gehrig's disease? I am 25?

It can be lots of things. I would seriously doubt ALS right off the bat. Irritated nerves, muscle cramps, even thyroid disorders can cause this. Don't get too worked up but see a doctor soo...

Do you know of alternate medicine to slow Lou Gehrig's disease?

My father passed away from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) 2 yrs. ago... Rilutek is currently the only med that can help slow the disease. There are a lot of scams out there - don't buy into...

Both my grandfather and my mother died of Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS) does that mean i will also have it?

Among ALS cases in the United States, 5% to 10% are hereditary, which means the disease runs in certain families. This is called familial (say: fuh-mee-lee-ul) ALS. At least 90% of cases are not in...

Please provide basic information on Lou Gehrig's disease - what it is, how it affects the body.?

Lou Gehrig's disease damages spinal cord pathways and motor neurons, which are important parts of the body's neuromuscular system. My father died from the disease he was totally paralize...

What is the difference between Lou Gehrig's Disease and Kennedy Disease?

Kennedy is inherited and it affects males. Read the facts about them both here: ...

Why can't I feel my fingers?

sorry if someone already answered this but you describe classic syptoms of carpel tunnel syndrome and if your doctor has not sent you for testing you need a new doctor it is a outpatient sur...

My mom has difficulty breathing, which would benefit her more? A humidifier or a DEhumidifier?

air conditioning, if you haven't got it, is a must, and if you're in a humid climate, a dehumidifier. if you are in a dry climate, like the southwest, a humidifier.

...

My sister has been having trouble standing and even moving..?

most likely not-for one thing,these diseases are far more common in men than women.most likely culprits-fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome.maybe osteoarthritis if she is approaching or in mid...