[Differential diagnosis of bipolar disorder: historical and clinical implications and perspectives]

In DSM-5, bipolar disorder (BS) is no longer conceptualised as a pure mood disorder together with unipolar depression, but as a bridge between schizophrenia and depressive disorders. This nosological classification is founded on the historical context of the 19th century. In addition to unipolar depression and schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) overlap with BS symptomatology. Overlap also exists with somatic diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Cushing's syndrome and syphilis as well as iatrogenic affective syndromes.