5 Dangers of Self-Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder: What You Need to Know

Welcome to my little corner of the digital world, and thank you so much for having time and energy for it. I appreciate you! Before we get into today’s hot topic, which is self-diagnosing bipolar disorder, I just want to remind you of my other blog posts that can be found over here: bipolarbabesclub.com. There are only a few posts right now, but it’s a work in progress. If you’re looking for more information surrounding bipolar disorder, here are a few quality sources:

• Psychiatry.org – What Are Bipolar Disorders?
• Mayo Clinic: Bipolar Disorders
• National Institute of Mental Health—Bipolar Disorder

Self-Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder and Why You Shouldn’t Do It

The world is exceptionally digital, and it’s easier than ever to go online and look up any mental health symptom you’re curious about. Whether it’s Google or a viral reel, it’s just information and should not be taken in the form of a professional diagnosis.

Self-awareness is integral, but self-diagnosing bipolar disorder can be misleading and dangerous. Bipolar disorder requires careful evaluation from a qualified professional, not a checklist from the internet. Still not sold on why you shouldn’t self-diagnose? That’s okay! We’ve compiled some reasons for you!

1. Bipolar Disorder is Incredibly Complex

Bipolar disorder is an incredibly complicated mental illness. Despite what many people believe, I like to think of it as more of a spectrum than a black-and-white diagnosis. This is because it can present differently in everyone and takes a professional to diagnose it.

Different Types of Bipolar Disorder

There are different types of bipolar disorder, varied mood episodes, and mood episodes that last for different durations of time. In addition, it’s possible for depressive and mania/hypomania symptoms to overlap and for symptoms to vary between people.

Bipolar Disorder is Often Misdiagnosed

Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as other conditions, which can pose a real challenge when using self-diagnosing tools. During stable periods, it’s common to think that you’re all better now and that you no longer have any mental health conditions. Bipolar disorder can be misleading, complicated and messy. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment plan and therefore absolutely requires a professional diagnosis rather than a self-diagnostic tool.

Bipolar Disorder is Commonly Misdiagnosed As:

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

• Many people only seek help during depressive episodes, leading to a diagnosis of depression rather than bipolar disorder.
• Why it’s a problem: Antidepressants alone can trigger manic episodes if bipolar disorder is present.

Anxiety Disorders

• Bipolar disorder often comes with racing thoughts, restlessness, and excessive worry, which resemble generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or panic disorder.
• Why it’s a problem: Anxiety-focused treatments don’t address mood swings and may worsen instability.

ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)

• Symptoms like impulsivity, distractibility, and hyperactivity can mimic mania or hypomania.
• Why it’s a problem: Stimulants prescribed for ADHD can trigger manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

• Both conditions involve mood swings and impulsivity, but in BPD, mood shifts are usually shorter and triggered by external events, whereas bipolar mood episodes last days to weeks.
• Why it’s a problem: Treatments differ—bipolar is treated with mood stabilizers, while BPD is often managed with therapy.

Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder

• Severe manic episodes can include hallucinations or delusions, which may lead to a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia.
• Why it’s a problem: Schizophrenia is treated primarily with antipsychotics, while bipolar treatment is more complex and includes mood stabilizers.

Substance Use Disorder

• Many people with bipolar disorder self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, which can make it seem like the primary issue is substance abuse.
• Why it’s a problem: Treating addiction alone doesn’t address the underlying mood disorder.

2. There Is A Risk Of Misdiagnosis

When you utilize self-diagnosing tools instead of a professional who knows bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions, there is a strong risk of misdiagnosis. This would then delay proper treatment and possibly make life even harder than it likely already is.

3. Incorrect Treatment Can Be Harmful

If you use a self-diagnosing bipolar disorder tool, you might be in for incorrect treatment, which can be even more harmful to you and your mental health. There’s the risk of taking the wrong medication, ignoring or misinterpreting mania and hypomania, misdiagnosing a different mental health condition, developing harmful coping techniques to try to manage symptoms, and delaying proper treatment and diagnosis. Always, always, always get your diagnosis’s from a qualified healthcare professional and NOT anywhere on the internet.

4. Online Quizzes Aren’t Reliable

Let’s face it, these online quizzes are typically made by people like you and me and not people who know the ins and outs of the many faces of bipolar disorder. Skip the online quizzes.

I know it’s tempting because online quizzes are so fun, but take one for something else. Don’t take one in an effort to diagnose yourself with anything. (Not just bipolar disorder.)

5. It’s Easy To Overlook Mania/Hypomania

Mania and hypomania are often overlooked in bipolar disorder, which is why the disorder is often misdiagnosed as something else first. (Raise your hand if you were misdiagnosed.). I was.)

There is often a focus on the depressive episodes in bipolar disorder without the awareness that the other side, the mania and hypomania, can actually be just as, if not even more, harmful. Mania can create a sort of euphoric, confident and high-energy feeling that can be easily overlooked during a self-assessment tool. It’s often contributed to personality rather than a disorder.

What To Do Instead

Always, always, always talk to your healthcare provider about any and all of your concerns surrounding your health. If you don’t have a healthcare provider here are some resources that I’ve found but don’t have any personal experience with :

General Telehealth Platforms

1. Teladoc Health – Offers virtual consultations with doctors, therapists, and dermatologists.
2. MDLIVE – Provides online medical care for non-emergency conditions, mental health, and dermatology.
3. Amwell – Connects patients with doctors, psychiatrists, and therapists via video calls.
4. PlushCare – Online primary care with same-day doctor appointments and prescription refills.
5. Doctor on Demand – Virtual healthcare services, including mental health support and urgent care.

Mental Health-Focused Platforms

6. BetterHelp – Online therapy with licensed counselors for various mental health conditions.
7. Talkspace – Provides therapy and psychiatric services with messaging and live video sessions.
8. Brightside Health – Focuses on depression and anxiety treatment with medication management.
9. Cerebral – Online therapy and medication for anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

Specialized & Niche Healthcare Platforms

• Sesame – Affordable virtual and in-person healthcare, including specialists and mental health professionals.
• Zocdoc – Allows you to find and book telehealth and in-person doctor appointments.
• Maple (Canada-based) – Provides virtual doctor visits and prescriptions in Canada.
• Lemonaid Health – Online treatment for mental health, sexual health, and general conditions.

FAQs – Self-Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder

Can I accurately diagnose myself with bipolar disorder?

No. While self-reflection and symptom checklists can provide insight, only a licensed mental health professional can diagnose bipolar disorder accurately. Bipolar disorder is complex and often overlaps with other conditions like depression, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder, making self-diagnosis unreliable

What are the risks of self-diagnosing bipolar disorder?

• Misdiagnosis – You might mistake another condition (e.g., depression, anxiety, or PTSD) for bipolar disorder.
• Incorrect treatment – Self-medicating or using the wrong therapy can worsen symptoms instead of helping.
• Overlooking mania/hypomania – Many people focus on depressive symptoms and fail to recognize manic or hypomanic episodes, leading to a wrong diagnosis.

How can I tell if I might have bipolar disorder?

Some key signs include:

• Extreme mood swings between depressive and manic/hypomanic states.
• Periods of high energy, impulsivity, or reduced need for sleep.
• Depressive episodes with feelings of hopelessness or fatigue.
• Mood shifts lasting days to weeks, not just hours.

If you recognize these patterns, it’s best to speak with a psychiatrist or therapist for an accurate assessment.

Final Thoughts – Self-Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder

In the end, it’s best to refrain from self-diagnosing bipolar disorder and really, any other condition you feel you may have and always talk to a qualified professional!