Bipolar Disorder (BPD) is a complex condition with variable clinical presentations and diagnosis can be difficult. In particular, recognising new or previously undiagnosed BPD can be especially challenging within the pressures of primary care where patients present with a wide variety of medical or social issues rather than with diagnostic labels. Moreover, there may be conceptual difficulties between the academic classification of emotional and mental health symptoms into discrete entities versus the broader contexts that GPs encounter daily. It should also be noted that GPs are adept at managing uncertainty with pragmatism.
Keywords: bipolar disorder, depression, cycling, diagnosis, treatment, primary care