Bipolar disorder and concurrent psychiatric and medical disorders

A correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder is crucial to determining appropriate treatment strategies, but the majority of patients with this illness are initially misdiagnosed. Bipolar presentations share features with other psychiatric disorders such as unipolar depression and borderline personality disorder, and comorbid medical conditions further complicate diagnosis. Clinicians may minimize diagnostic and treatment issues by focusing on differential diagnosis and dual treatment of bipolar disorder and co-occurring conditions. The physical health of patients with bipolar disorder should be monitored, because this population is at risk for obesity, metabolic syndrome, and associated conditions.