Misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder as depression delays treatment for years, experts warn
Two individuals in Scotland were misdiagnosed with depression for over a decade before receiving correct diagnoses of bipolar disorder. Kimberley Atkinson was treated for depression for 14 years until a manic episode led to involuntary hospitalization, where she was diagnosed with bipolar I. Jacqui Armstrong, a former teacher, spent over 30 years being treated for depression, including undergoing electroconvulsive therapy, before being diagnosed with bipolar II. Experts state that bipolar disorder is significantly underdiagnosed, with the true prevalence potentially being double the official rate. They argue that current screening practices fail to identify manic symptoms, leading to inappropriate antidepressant prescriptions that can worsen bipolar conditions. Updated screening guidelines are urged to improve early detection and prevent long-term harm.
