| Sumario: | Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the experience and opinion in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with Bipolar Disorder in Argentina. Method: An anonymous survey was performed on persons diagnosed as suffering from Bipolar Disorder, and successfully treated according to this diagnosis. It was carried out in three health centres in Argentina, involving 100 patients. Results: 78% of the patients reported to have had another diagnosis and treatment, before the current diagnosis. The most frequent diagnostic error was Schizophrenia (36%). This incorrect diagnosis showed a positive correlation with the existence of psychotic symptoms, verified in 83% of the sample. The mean time from the first interview until being informed of the right diagnosis was found to be of 11.9 years (S.D.= 9.8). Most of the interviewees qualified as positive the fact of having been informed of their diagnosis and, as well, of having access to psycho - educative material. Only 39% of the patients in the sample had had access to this material. Conclusions: There is o great difficulty to access to a correct diagnosis and treatment in Bipolar Disorder patients that causes severe consequences in the outcome.
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