According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, about 7 out of 10 people with bipolar disorder are misdiagnosed at least once — the average length of time from a patient’s first bipolar disorder symptoms to correct diagnosis and treatment is 10 years. Women are more likely to be misdiagnosed with depression, and men are more likely to be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia. Symptoms of hypomania (a milder form of mania) may go unreported because patients feel good and say their disorder doesn’t feel like an illness. Share all symptoms and family history to help doctors make a correct diagnosis.
