The Bipolar Spectrum

Dr. Paris opens discussion about the over-diagnosis of bipolar disorder and the negative impact of this development on clinical care. Combining research findings and personal experiences, Dr. Paris documents the damage of over-diagnosis and explores alternative treatments patients could benefit from.

Joel Paris, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry at McGill University. He is also a Research Associate at the SMBD-Jewish General Hospital, and heads personality clinics at two hospitals. He is Editor-in-Chief of The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry.

Introduction. Part I: Concepts. The Bipolar Diagnosis. "Diagnostic Creep" in the Bipolar Spectrum. Affective Instability. Part II: Disorders. Differential Diagnosis of Unstable Mood. Bipolarity and Personality Disorders. Bipolarity and Childhood Behavioral Disorders. Part III: Implications. How Psychiatric Fads Develop. The Impact of Overdiagnosis.