How long does it take to be diagnosed with bipolar disorder by a psyciatrist for an adolescent?

Depends on Severity: The time it takes to make a diagnosis can depend on several things, but one of the primary factors has to do with the severity of symptoms that are consistent with bipolar disorder. Usually, more severe cases are easier to diagnose than more subtle or unclear situations. A lot of this can also have to do with the information available to the psychiatrist in terms of background information.

Evaluation: The psychiatrist needs to gather the full history about the adolescent, which usually includes interviewing the parents/family as well as the identified patient. Being clear about bipolar disorder requires exploring a longitudinal history, the seeming symptoms or episodes of concern, and possibly getting some initial lab tests. The psychiatrist may need a session or 2 to do this and share feedback.