No, a brain scan cannot diagnose bipolar disorder, as diagnosis relies on clinical interviews and symptom assessment; however, research shows subtle structural and functional differences (like in the amygdala or prefrontal cortex) in people with bipolar disorder, which scans can reveal and may help in future early detection or distinguishing it from other conditions, but aren't used for standard diagnosis now. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) (.gov) Healthline National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Verywell Mind.
Brain structure and function. Brain scans cannot diagnose bipolar disorder, yet researchers have identified subtle differences in the average size or activation of some brain structures in people with bipolar disorder.
Bipolar patients tend to have gray matter reductions in frontal brain regions involved in self-control (orange colors), while sensory and visual regions are normal (gray colors).
Symptoms of bipolar disorder
Mood stabilizers like lithium are often considered the most effective treatment for bipolar disorder, particularly Bipolar I. Lithium not only helps manage manic episodes but also significantly reduces the risk of suicide, a common concern with bipolar patients.
Conditions such as borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder, ADHD, and schizoaffective disorder may mimic aspects of bipolar disorder, including mood swings, impulsivity, or episodes of depression and mania-like behavior.
However, many people with bipolar disorder have found the following tools to be helpful in reducing symptoms and maintaining wellness:
Symptoms of bipolar disorder
Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
Other signs include a low energy level, fatigue, poor concentration, and a change in eating or sleeping habits. During a manic episode, a person may seem unusually happy or excited. He or she may also talk too much and too fast or appear distracted or overly confident and ambitious.
Factors that may raise the risk of getting bipolar disorder or cause the first episode include: Having a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, with bipolar disorder. Periods of high stress, such as the death of a loved one or another traumatic event. Drug or alcohol misuse.
In bipolar disorder, structural brain abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex have been confirmed in postmortem studies60,61 and with structural MRI. For example, the subgenual portion of the anterior cingulate cortex was reduced in volume in patients with bipolar disorder with a family history of affective disorder.
How many hours should a bipolar person sleep? People should try to sleep at least 7 hours per night, regardless of whether they have a condition such as bipolar disorder.
The Takeaway. A poor diet can contribute to bipolar mood episodes, and certain food choices may help manage them. People with bipolar disorder should avoid or limit caffeine, alcohol, sugar, salt, and saturated fats.
Only a mental health professional like a psychiatrist can give you a bipolar disorder diagnosis – not your GP. However, if you're experiencing bipolar moods and symptoms, discussing it with your GP can be a good first step. They can refer you to a psychiatrist, who will be able to assess you.
Brain scans like SPECT, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography (CT) are helpful for diagnosing certain issues, but neuroimaging alone cannot identify mental illnesses. However, neuroimaging can still be a helpful tool for mental health.
Cognitive Distortions and Perception Changes
Bipolar disorder often distorts thoughts, leading to inaccurate perceptions. These distorted thoughts can skew how one perceives events and interactions. Such shifts in perspective can contribute to emotional distress.
10 Warning Signs
Intense mood swings disrupting daily life. Cycles of depression with guilt, worthlessness, or suicidal thoughts. Risky behaviors (spending sprees, gambling, reckless driving). Surges in energy and multitasking.
EDIT-B is the first molecular test, based on RNA related biomarkers, which can, from a simple blood draw combined with clinical evaluation, make the differential diagnosis between bipolar disorder and unipolar depression.
Age at onset of type-I bipolar disorder (BPD) typically averages 12-24 years, is older among patients with type-II BPD, and oldest in unipolar major depressive disorder 1,2,3. Reported onset ages probably vary by ascertainment methods, and possibly among different countries and cultures 1,2,3,4,5,6.
Bipolar with mixed features
This means they may have the symptoms of mania (irritability, high energy, racing thoughts, overactivity) along with symptoms of depression (sadness, loss of interest, low energy, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, thoughts of suicide).
In bipolar disorder, a personmay experience psychosisduring themanic phase, which can have a duration of weeks to months.
There is no clear cause of bipolar disorder. Mental health experts think it's a result of chemical imbalances in the brain. It seems to run in families, but no genes have yet been linked to it. It causes unusual mood swings.
You can use a 48 hour rule where you wait at least 2 full days with 2 nights sleep before acting on risky decisions. Review your decision to avoid a tempting, but risky, behaviour.
Vit D deficiency may play a role in the etiology of psychiatric disorders, especially bipolar manic episodes, through the abovementioned mechanisms. Vitamin D deficiency may lead to comorbid psychiatric problems due to the role of Vit D in calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) homeostasis [15].
Bipolar disorder often runs in families, and research suggests this is mostly explained by heredity—people with certain genes are more likely to develop bipolar disorder than others.