Bipolar disorder involves periods of elevated mood, or mania which can be diagnosed by a bipolar test. Usually, but not always, the disorder also involves periods of depression. Bipolar disorder (manic-depression) is a mood disorder that impacts approximately 1% of the population, compared to a lifetime prevalence of 6% for unipolar depression, and is equally prevalent among men and women.

Commonly first diagnosed between the ages of 18 - 24 years, this disorder can have serious and significant effects on families, social relationships, and work life or academic progress. Bipolar disorder, formerly termed manic depression, is a condition involving mood swings, which are frequently accompanied by other specific symptoms and behaviors. The mood swings, also termed episodes, can present in three forms: manic episodes, depressive episodes and mixed episodes. The recent results from bipolar testing have made doctors aware of the vast extremes for diagnosis.

Bipolar I

Today there are many ways to diagnose a bipolar disorder due to its ability to present in several forms. A bipolar test will be conducted for Bipolar I which is the most acute form of the disorder:

- Having a mood much better than normal
- Rapid speech with conversation domination
- Not much sleep is required by the sufferer
- The patient has racing thoughts and trouble concentrating
- Sustained high energy
- Overconfidence which may be the opposite at other times
- Delusions which can be grandiose and/or paranoid

Bipolar disorder can manifest with a variety of clinical presentations along the course of a lifetime. Mixed states, rapid cycling and psychosis may occur as phases of the disorder. Bipolar disorder isn't a sign of weakness or a character flaw; it's a serious medical condition that requires treatment, just like any other condition.

Depressive moods are observed as the opposite of manic episodes. This is characterized by extreme sadness and lack of energy to do anything. Depressed patients generally experience psychomotor retardation and have decreased activity. They also have a decreased rate and volume of speech. Severe episodes of mania can include psychoses, such as hallucinations or delusions.

Bipolar II

Bipolar II is also referenced as Hypomania and is used to define a person with less pronounced symptoms without the delusions. People with this diagnosis are given the same bipolar test as already defined, but score less severe in the results.

Using a 1 – 10 graph, Bipolar I would rate at the extreme level of 10. Bipolar II (Hypomania) may score a 5 and symptoms may not cycle as fast or as frequent as Bipolar I. Any person diagnosed from a bipolar test will usually require medication to reduce cycling.

Studies show that women are more likely than men to be diagnosed as rapid cyclers. Studies over the past twenty years have shown beyond the shadow of doubt that people who receive the appropriate drugs are better off in the long term than those who receive no medicine

Hypomania can become full mania and can also switch into depression. Hypomania does not cause impairment of function and may actually enhance function in the short term. Hypomania may feel good to the person who experiences it. Thus, even when family and friends learn to recognize the mood swings, the individual often will deny that anything is wrong.

Childhood bipolar may be misdiagnosed because the symptoms may be very broad and somewhat fuzzy in nature. Parents don't know what to do because their teen is crying, sullen, or overly emotional. Then they rush them to the doctor's or pediatrician’s office who sometimes sends them to the psychiatrist.

A bipolar test is usually reserved for older or adolescent children after childhood moods should have leveled off. Once a diagnosis is properly made, appropriate support and medication can be prescribed for the symptoms most prevalent.

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