Some researchers estimate that the misdiagnosis rate for bipolar disorder is up to 40%. Research also suggests that people with bipolar disorder may not receive an accurate diagnosis for 5–10 years and that about 20% of people with the condition receive an accurate diagnosis within 1 year of seeking treatment.
A misdiagnosis can mean that a person receives a diagnosis of another mental health condition when they should have received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Alternatively, it can mean that they receive a bipolar disorder diagnosis when they should have received a diagnosis of a different condition.
Additionally, it can mean that they are experiencing both bipolar disorder and another mental health condition but receive a diagnosis for only one of them.