Bipolar Test MDQ
A screening tool for bipolar spectrum disorders. Answer whether you have ever experienced the following, even if they are not present now.
0 of 13 answered
Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and..., how often have you been bothered by the following problems?
Question 1 of 13
...you felt so good or so hyper that other people thought you were not your normal self or you were so hyper that you got into trouble?
Question 2 of 13
...you were so irritable that you shouted at people or started fights or arguments?
Question 3 of 13
...you felt much more self-confident than usual?
Question 4 of 13
...you got much less sleep than usual and found you didn't really miss it?
Question 5 of 13
...you were much more talkative or spoke much faster than usual?
Question 6 of 13
...thoughts raced through your head or you couldn't slow your mind down?
Question 7 of 13
...you were so easily distracted by things around you that you had trouble concentrating or staying on track?
Question 8 of 13
...you had much more energy than usual?
Question 9 of 13
...you were much more active or did many more things than usual?
Question 10 of 13
...you were much more social or outgoing than usual, for example, you telephoned friends in the middle of the night?
Question 11 of 13
...you were much more interested in sex than usual?
Question 12 of 13
...you did things that were unusual for you or that other people might have thought were excessive, foolish, or risky?
Question 13 of 13
...spending money got you or your family into trouble?
About the MDQ
The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a brief self-report screening tool designed to identify individuals who may have bipolar spectrum disorders. It focuses on lifetime experience of manic or hypomanic symptoms.
Bipolar disorder is often misdiagnosed as unipolar depression, leading to inadequate treatment. The MDQ helps flag individuals who should receive a comprehensive clinical evaluation for bipolar disorder. A screening result is never a diagnosis.
Scoring
Citation
Hirschfeld RMA, Williams JBW, Spitzer RL, et al. Development and validation of a screening instrument for bipolar spectrum disorder: the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. Am J Psychiatry. 2000;157(11):1873-1875.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MDQ?
The MDQ (Mood Disorder Questionnaire) is a self-report screening tool designed to identify people who may have bipolar spectrum disorders by asking about lifetime manic/hypomanic episodes.
Is bipolar disorder different from depression?
Yes. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of both depression and mania (or hypomania). Treatment differs significantly — antidepressants alone can worsen bipolar disorder.
Can this test diagnose bipolar disorder?
No. The MDQ is a screening tool only. A comprehensive evaluation by a psychiatrist is needed for diagnosis. Bipolar disorder is frequently misdiagnosed as unipolar depression.