"Twenty wasted years” Exploring the experience of misdiagnosis within Bipolar Type Two disorder "

Smith, Natasha (2018) "Twenty wasted years” Exploring the experience of misdiagnosis within Bipolar Type Two disorder ". Cardiff Metropolitan University. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Bipolar Type Two disorder (BP- II) is a mental health disorder that is frequently misdiagnosed as depression due to the shared predominant symptom of recurrent, extended periods of depression and unrecognized hypomanic symptoms. Previous quantitative research demonstrated that misdiagnosis significantly impaired individual’s wellbeing and heightened suicide risk. However, the experience of misdiagnosis from a qualitative approach had not yet been considered, therefore, the aim of the current research was to explore the experience and impact of misdiagnosis within BP- II disorder. A thematic analysis was performed on online bipolar support forums that discussed the experiences of misdiagnosis. The analysis revealed that misdiagnosis left participants with inappropriate and unsuccessful treatment. The ineffective treatment increased suicidal ideation and action, feelings of hopelessness and inflicted instability throughout the participant’s lives. The study also identified that participants were predominantly misdiagnosed with depression and frequently remained misdiagnosed for several years and in some cases decades. In order to combat the prevalence of misdiagnosis, the present study supported the utilisation of hypomanic screening through the diagnostic process as the recognition of hypomanic symptoms is key to separating BP- II disorder from depression.