Petition · past parliament
All UK prescribers must screen for Bipolar before prescribing antidepressants.
Rejected
10 signatures
What the petition asks
In 2017 to 2018, 17% of the adult population were prescribed antidepressants, that's 7.3 million people.
People with undiagnosed bipolar often present to doctors during an episode of depression and are prescribed antidepressants as monotherapy without being adequately screened for bipolarity.
People with undiagnosed bipolar often present to doctors during an episode of depression and are prescribed antidepressants as monotherapy without being adequately screened for bipolarity.
Antidepressants can be very harmful to those on the bipolar spectrum often triggering rapid cycling and manic episodes.
It takes an average 9 years to get a correct diagnosis of bipolar and there is a misdiagnosis an average of 3.5 times.
1% to 2% of the population experience a lifetime prevalence of bipolar and recent research suggests as many as 5% of us are on the bipolar spectrum.
Too many people with bipolar are suffering unnecessarily, whilst missing out on the vital treatment needed.
It takes an average 9 years to get a correct diagnosis of bipolar and there is a misdiagnosis an average of 3.5 times.
1% to 2% of the population experience a lifetime prevalence of bipolar and recent research suggests as many as 5% of us are on the bipolar spectrum.
Too many people with bipolar are suffering unnecessarily, whilst missing out on the vital treatment needed.
Why it was rejected
It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.
The diagnosis and prescription of treatment for patients is a matter for individual clinicians, not the Government or House of Commons.
We could accept a petition calling for the Government to commission a review of diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder, if that is something you want to happen.
We could accept a petition calling for the Government to commission a review of diagnosis and treatment of bipolar disorder, if that is something you want to happen.
Timeline
| 7 Jan 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 14 Jan 2021 | Rejected by the Petitions Committee |
Key facts
Signatures
10
Status
Rejected
Rejected
14 Jan 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.