Improving diagnostic delays in bipolar disorders in clinical practice

Abstract

A series of worldwide reports have informed that around 70% of the people affected with bipolar disorders (BDs) need to wait approxi‐ mately 8 years between their first consultation (FC) and the moment that they receive the appropriate diagnosis.1 In the last years, several clinical markers were identified and educational initiatives among mental health professionals were conducted in order to reduce di‐ agnosis delay (DD). To the best of our knowledge, the impact of these actions on the ability of physicians to make a timely BD diagnosis at a clinical level has not been investigated.