In some cases, in order to effectively address episodes of mania and depression, treating the body is equally important as treating the mind. Doctors and therapists often integrate physical evaluations with psychiatric care to better understand the root cause of symptoms and determine the best approach to care.
There’s no denying the very real presence of mental health disorders. However, it’s important to note that sometimes, symptoms that appear to be entirely mental may actually be caused by biological conditions. For example, about 30 percent of people with untreated syphilis develop neurosyphilis—a condition that closely mimics the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Before moving forward with bipolar disorder therapy and medication, a full medical exam is a necessary step to rule out other possible explanations.