A study of the incidence of bipolar spectrum disorders in a private psychiatric practice.

An audit of the diagnosis of 300 consecutive new cases presenting in a private practice over the period of the last four years (from January 2003 to December 2006) is presented. The main observation is the high percentage of patients who fall within the bipolar spectrum who are diagnosed and reported. In particular, there is a large proportion of patients who suffer from Bipolar II illness. The consequences of this in the diagnosis and management of patients is discussed.