5 Diseases and Disorders That Mimic The Symptoms Of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is, research has revealed, the most complex and hardest to diagnose of all psychiatric conditions. It is a mental illness characterized by serious shifts in mood, ranging from depression to full-blown mania. In fact, the condition was first called maniac depressive psychosis and manic depression, and even though it is still sometimes referred this way, the terms didn’t stick in medical circles.

The third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-3) used the term "bipolar disorder" for the first time when it was published in 1980. In the next edition, the disease was divided into four main categories — bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymia, and bipolar disorder not otherwise specified.

Bipolar disorder has various symptoms that may overlap with many other diseases. These symptoms often include:

• Racing thoughts
• Talking quickly and saying things that do not make sense to others
• Being easily distracted
• Suddenly taking on a lot of projects
• Restlessness — or a burst of energy
• A lack of desire to sleep
• An unrealistic self-image (feelings of grandiosity)
• Impulsiveness

People with bipolar disorder often experience debilitating depression that can lead to self-hatred and self-harm, which can resemble several other conditions as well.

Psychiatric diseases that mimic the symptoms of bipolar disorder

Various mental disorders may resemble bipolar disorder, but the following conditions share the most similar symptoms:

1. Major depressive disorder (unipolar depression)
2. Schizoaffective disorder or schizophrenia
3. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
4. Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
5. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

1. Major Depressive Disorder

This is understandable, since depression is one of the two main stages of bipolar disorder, together with mania. At times, the manic part of the disorder can be so mild that doctors may misss it (these moderate manic episodes are known as hypomania) so it can be completely overlooked even by physicians.

2. Schizoaffective Disorder

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are not that similar, but they can have some overlapping symptoms, mainly hallucinations. While schizophrenia is all about psychosis – abnormal behavior and detachment from reality – it can but doesn’t have to occur in people with bipolar disorder. Also, both of these illnesses are characterized by a decrease in motivation as well as reduced social engagement.

3. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

People with ADHD often speak fast, have difficulties concentrating, are restless, and display a general lack of attention. Some of these symptoms can be applicable to the manic part of bipolar disorder, but the main difference between these two conditions is that bipolar disorder affects a person’s mood, while ADHD only affects behavior.

4. Borderline Personality Disorder

While manic depression is a mood disorder, borderline personality disorder – like the name says – falls on the spectrum of personality disorders. People with bipolar disorder experience serious shifts in mood that at times cause them to be manic and at other times depressed, but those with borderline personality disorder have difficulties controlling their emotions at all times.

According to data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), around 1.4 percent of adults in the United States are living with borderline personality disorder, and most of the people diagnosed with this mental illness are women. Men can suffer from BPD as well, but they are often wrongly diagnosed with depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). While bipolar and BDP are different in nature, a few of the symptoms, such as irritability, impulsive behavior, having unstable relationships and increased rates of suicide are what these two conditions have in common.

5. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a serious mood disorder characterized by various cognitive–affective as well as physical symptoms a week prior to a woman's menses. According to data, millions of women across the world suffer from this debilitating and still poorly understood medical condition. Just like bipolar disorder, it can feature serious mood swings, irritability, conflictual behavior, a depressed mood, hopelessness, and an overall sense of being out of control. PDD also comes in cycles, which can make it look similar to bipolar disorder with rapid cycling.

Other diseases that may resemble bipolar disorder

Various non-psychiatric conditions may have symptoms similar to bipolar disorder as well, including thyroid conditions, lupus, HIV, syphilis, and a few other infections.

Bipolar disorder sometimes comes with additions like generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, or substance abuse. This is why making the right diagnosis can be challenging. Also, most patients with bipolar disorder seek treatment only when they cannot cope with depressive symptoms alone anymore, while manic episodes may leave them feeling exhilarated and so unlikely to seek medical attention.

Since fool-proof diagnostic tools like blood tests don't help in the diagnostic process for mental disorders, the best way to ensure you get the right diagnosis is honesty. Talking sincerely with your physician about your mood and habits helps the doctor to accurately diagnose and hence treat the disease. They will ask many questions and not only ones related to your mood, but your family history as well, and it’s up to you to provide them with as many details as possible.