Although many illnesses are relatively easy to diagnose and treat, disorders that affect the brain are often complicated and difficult to identify. Illnesses like bipolar disorder often have symptoms that vary greatly or are very similar to other problems that plague the brain.
If a medical professional fails to correctly diagnose an illness or disorder, the patient may suffer serious consequences like further injury or even death. It is the responsibility of doctors and physicians to correctly identify and treat bipolar disorder before the patient suffers even more. If you have suffered injury due to misdiagnosis by your doctor, you may be eligible for financial compensation for your pain and suffering.
Bipolar disorder is especially hard to diagnose because many of the symptoms that are commonly associated with the illness are also commonly seen in other brain disorders and problems. Individuals who suffer from manic-depressive illness often report symptoms including:
o Intense mood changes including "manic" episodes and "depressive" episodes
o Severe depression
o Agitation
o Impulsiveness
o High risk behavior
o Restlessness
o Irritability
o Sleeplessness
o Suicidal thoughts
One of the major obstacles for many medical professionals is the similarities between the disorder and other diseases of the brain. Doctors commonly associate symptoms of the disorder with the following illnesses:
o Depression
o Schizophrenia
o Substance abuse
o Psychotic disorders
o Thyroid disorder or hyperthyroidism
o Antisocial personality disorder
Patients often have difficulty explaining their symptoms to physicians, often causing more confusion in the diagnosis. If you are suffering from an illness and have not received a diagnosis, make sure to explain your symptoms as carefully and thoroughly as possible to help your doctor avoid making a mistake with the diagnosis. It is important to remember that only you can truly explain what you are feeling to your doctor, and by correctly identifying what you are experiencing, you may be able to increase your chances of successful treatment.
Doctors and other medical personnel have taken an oath to help their patients to the best of their abilities. It is important for physicians to avoid mistakes at all costs, especially when it comes to diagnosis and treatment of disorders. If a brain disorder goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed by a doctor, the patient may end up suffering severe injury as a result.
If you would like to know more about bipolar disorder and misdiagnosis, visit the website of the Pennsylvania medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams.
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