High profile celebrities with bipolar disorder have done much to raise awareness of the condition but two psychiatrists believe it has led to an increase in self-diagnosis. In an article in the Psychiatrists, theDr Chan and Dr Sireline say:

"We have noticed in our clinical practice a new and unusual phenomenon, where patients present to psychiatrists with self-diagnosed bipolar disorder.

"Recently, we have noticed numerous GP referrals to our service where the primary request has been for a psychiatric opinion on whether the patient may have bipolar disorder, as suggested by the patient's own self-diagnosis.

"Also common, but less so in our experience, is the patient who attends reluctantly at the instigation of family members who are convinced they have finally made the diagnosis that can explain the awkward or embarrassing behaviour of their relative.

"Both types of presentation were very uncommon until about three years ago.

"The increasing popularity of bipolar disorder may be attributed to increased media coverage, coupled with the high social status associated with celebrities such as Stephen Fry talking about their own personal experiences of mental illness.

"This appears to have promoted the disorder as less stigmatising and acceptable to the public, a phenomenon that may have an evolutionary basis."

Read more >  www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/news/?entryid17=77070

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