It has just occurred to me that my sister may be manic depressive. It runs in our dad's family. To find out for sure, I need suggestions on how to approach her to go to the doctor. I do not want to upset her and send her into a tizzy. What kind of testing do they do to determine the illness? It would be wonderful to have an answer after all these years. I'm very concerned about her.

Jane

There is no "test" for bipolar disorder, the current term for manic depression. That is, no blood test, imaging or other medical assessment process is available to definitively determine the presence or absence of the condition, unlike medical illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis, etc.

Psychological tests such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI, now revised and called the MMPI-2) or the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) can aid in diagnosing bipolar disorder by assessing an individual's symptoms and thought processes. In the United States, those tests can only be administered and interpreted by a licensed psychologist or someone under a psychologist's supervision. I'm not aware of any psychological test that specifically assesses or screens for bipolar disorder, although there are some that screen for depression. (One of the most well-known of those is the Beck Depression Inventory, or BDI. One version of the BDI can be found in David Burns' book Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy.)

However, most diagnoses of bipolar disorder (especially those made by psychiatrists) are probably made as a result of a clinical interview in which the person's symptoms and history (including family history of mental or emotional problems) is assessed. If you are concerned that your sister may have bipolar disorder, one possibility is to encourage her to see a psychologist or psychiatrist for assessment and possible treatment. Mood-stabilizing medication is usually the first line of treatment for bipolar disorder, but individuals can also benefit from therapy addressing life stressors and increasing coping skills.

If your sister will not seek help (or even an assessment) on her own, there's not much you can do unless she appears to be a danger to herself or others, or gets in trouble legally. (Some people engage in so much out-of-control spending during manic episodes that they are dunned by creditors or arrested for passing bad checks.) You could, however, consult a psychologist or social worker in your area yourself to get a better idea of what resources are available for your sister. Good luck.