Expert: Ivan Goldberg, M.D. - 3/29/2009

Question
Ok question first. What do you think of the idea that is being shown online that a saliva sample can tell if a person is bipolar.

On another note show or don't You have to be an angel sent from God I have had so many negative things thrown at me by psychologist about bipolar disorder. The psychiatrist always dis it but every psychologist wit test and some kind of theory I talk to much have said bipolar. I took your test read your answers to people and everything they said was wrong. My life has been plagued. My family keeps telling me I am not bi polar or crazy and psychiatrist. I trust you and see by your works that I am not Thank you sooo much okay.

Again really I only need the first part shown the DNA stuff the accolades too or private.

Answer
Hi Kim . . .

While someday there will be an accurate test for bipolar disorder, no such test exists today. The saliva test that people are talking about is not an accurate test. It tests for genetic patterns that may be associated with bipolar disorder. There are two problems with the test:

1. not everyone with the patterns being tested for develops bipolar disorder

and

2. Not everyone with bipolar disorder disorder has one of the genetic pasterns being tested for.

If you have any doubts about your psychiatric diagnosis, you should see an expert for a diagnostic evaluation. A list of experts, regarding mood disorders,  may be found at:
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.psychiatrists.html

Best regards . . .

Ivan
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%