ePrints

Diagnostically irrelevant information can affect the likelihood of a diagnosis of bipolar disorder

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Thomas Meyer

Downloads

• Published version [.pdf]

Abstract

Bipolar disorders are misdiagnosed in many cases. We hypothesized that this occurs because therapists do not base their diagnostic decision solely on criteria set out by ICD-10 or DSM-IV. We expected that instead, patients offering a plausible causal explanation for their symptoms (i.e. having fallen in love) are less likely to be diagnosed as bipolar. In the same way we expected that patients who report decreased need for sleep are more likely to be diagnosed as bipolar than those who do not present with this additional symptom. We sent a case vignette describing a person with bipolar disorder to 400 psychotherapists. This vignette was varied with respect to these two pieces of information, but each case described included all necessary criteria to diagnose a bipolar disorder according to DSM-IV or ICD-10. This variation, along with the theoretical approach of the therapist affected the likelihood of a bipolar diagnosis.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Bruchmüller K, Meyer TD

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Affective Disorders

Year: 2009

Volume: 116

Issue: 1-2

Pages: 148-151

Print publication date: 01/07/2009

Date deposited: 12/03/2009

ISSN (print): 0165-0327

ISSN (electronic): 1573-2517

Publisher: Elsevier

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2008.11.018

DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2008.11.018

Altmetrics

Share