If you have bipolar manic depressive illness do you see a psychiatrist or a psychologist?

Bipolar: A therapist can see patient initially, then refer to psychiatrist for medication evaluation, or a psychiatrist trained in psychotherapy can do both. I tend to do both & refer to marital counselors & group therapists.

Bipolar: Studies have shown that without meds, approximately 70 % of bipolar patients cannot be functional in personal, social or work life. Most patients need 2 or 3 meds over their life time. Psychiatric stabilizations with meds is the key first and then a combination of psych meds, therapy, group therapy can help, in serious cases ECT can help.

A combination is: often a good choice. Recommend ensuring that you have a psychiatrist involved in your care for management of psychotropic medications.

Eval: Get a full psychiatric evaluation for bipolar disorder. If bipolar disorder is found, then medications, typically mood stabilizers will be prescribed. Therapy is also strongly indicated. If The evaluation is negative for bipolar disorder, medication still may be needed. In that case therapy is also strongly indicated.