Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia – Diagnosis and Treatment

When it comes to recognizing and treating mental health conditions, bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia often stand out as especially challenging. While BD tends to be characterized by intense mood swings, and schizophrenia is largely marked by psychosis, the two can share common symptoms.

It’s also not unusual for someone with either condition to be struggling with other symptoms or diagnoses as well, complicating an already stressful time in a person’s life and sometimes delaying the start of their recovery.

So, what should health care and public health professionals know about the key distinctions between BD and schizophrenia? How is each condition diagnosed and treated? And who is most at risk of developing one or the other?

Ann K. Shinn, MD, MPH, offers a comprehensive look at both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, provides guidance for recognizing their signs and symptoms, and answers audience questions about effective treatment for these conditions.