Bipolar with one manic episode and no other symptoms?

Hi all,

I'm really confused. My bf of 3 years, he's age 29, recently had a manic episode precipitated by some serious family trauma. He's never had any mental health issues before this - no depression, mania, anxiety...Nothing. He's also the most calm, stable guy emotionally - he's the farthest person from having emotional ups and downs. There's no family history of bipolar either. He's dealt with stress in his career before with no problem, but this emotional family stress he wasn't prepared for, and it really affected him.

For his full-blown manic episode, he was hospitalized for a day, and then allowed to go home. he recovered in a few days, and now is completely back to normal - no depression or anything else right now. The psychiatrist at the ER said it's bipolar. But we are confused because shouldn't there more to his condition for this strong diagnosis of bipolar? Or does this sound like bipolar?

We are going to a psychiatrist for second opinion, but just thought I'd ask people with experience as well, because this is extremely confusing for us. Thanks in advance for your responses!

A second opinion is wise. Something situational doesn't sound to me like it should be diagnosed as such. Granted I'm not a doctor, but it sounds like they just wanted to slap on a diagnosis code for insurance.

Its not a character flaw, or learned behavior, its a biological feature. A feature that is often initiated by some stressor that puts a person into this oscillation of moods. I can say that if I had seen a psychiatrist at the time of that initial stressor for myself, instead of basically hiding in my apartment, a good chunk of my adult life would have been a lot more pleasant.

As to the diagnosis... mania + hospital... there aren't a lot of things to pick from to put in that box.

Technically you can be diagnosed bipolar with only one manic episode. It manifests differently in everyone, and maybe he'll just have an easy time with it. Some people cycle often and others have very few episodes in their lives. Time will tell... I hope he stays stable.

Also, I agree that a second opinion can't hurt.

Thanks for the responses. To understand this better, is it possible to feel completely normal few days after a full-blown manic episode? Has that happened to anyone? I think if he went into some depression or had any other issues after, it would make more sense in my head. Also, is anything else ever misdiagnosed as bipolar? - not far as I know, but just curious. Thanks so much for the support

Yes it's possible to feel completely normal shortly after a manic episode. You don't have to get depressed, you know! Mania can be triggered by life's events, so can depression. And bipolar doesn't make sense.... it's an extreme reaction to events that so called normal people don't have....

Can bipolar be misdiagnosed? Well, sure, but mania is pretty clear cut.

It's possible to feel normal after, rather than a full spiral towards depression. Granted, for me it's uncommon but it has happened a few times (I was hypomanic and barely remember the days following an actual manic episode considering I was asleep for almost two days, but felt mentally stable afterwards; not so much physically).

Bipolar is different for everyone but it is a wise decision to get a second opinion. I got three different opinions before I finally accepted my diagnoses, but mine was less murky; I just didn't want another diagnoses.