Can a primary care physician diagnose bipolar?

Primary care physicians can provide comprehensive care for patients with bipolar disorder by diagnosing and treating the psychiatric disorder and psychiatric comorbidities, providing medical care, and educating and supporting patients and their families.

Can a primary care doctor prescribe Lamictal?

While primary care physicians certainly can prescribe these medications, it is recommended that people with bipolar disorder seek a psychiatrist for treatment.

Can a GP prescribe bipolar medication?

What medication is available? If you are diagnosed with bipolar disorder, it’s likely that your psychiatrist or GP will offer to prescribe medication.

Who can prescribe bipolar medication?

There are many medications for treating bipolar disorder, so a psychiatrist, who is best qualified to identify which drugs work best for a specific patient, should oversee treatment. A psychiatrist is a type of medical doctor (MD or DO) with specialized training in mental health care.

Can a psychologist treat bipolar?

People with bipolar also may see a psychologist or another mental health professional for counseling or psychotherapy (“talk therapy”). If you think you have bipolar disorder, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

Who is eligible to diagnose bipolar?

A psychiatrist or other mental health professional diagnoses bipolar disorder based on the symptoms, lifetime course, and experiences of the individual. Some people have bipolar disorder for years before it is diagnosed.

Who can give bipolar diagnosis?

In making the diagnosis of bipolar disorder, the psychiatrist or other mental health expert will ask you questions about your personal and family history of mental illness and bipolar disorder or other mood disorders.

Can a psychiatrist diagnose bipolar?

Specialists such as psychiatrists or psychologists perform these evaluations, as they have more experience in diagnosing and treating these types of conditions. Once the mental health specialist has tested the person and finds that they meet the criteria for bipolar disorder, treatment can begin.

Can you be bipolar and not take medication?

People with bipolar disorder may not take their medication because of side effects, fear of addiction and a preference for alternative treatment – according to research from Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) and the University of East Anglia (UEA).