Free Online Bipolar Affective Disorder Screening

Common Signs of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder involves episodes of two contrasting mood states. Most people experience both, though not necessarily in equal measure — and the periods between episodes can feel entirely normal.

Signs of mania or hypomania (elevated mood)

• Feeling unusually elated, euphoric, or "on top of the world"

• Feeling unusually irritable, impatient, or easily angered

• Needing much less sleep than usual, yet not feeling tired

• Talking more or faster than usual, with others finding it hard to interrupt

• Racing thoughts, or jumping quickly from one idea to another

• Being easily distracted, starting many things without finishing them

• Increased confidence, or believing you have special abilities or plans others don't grasp

• Taking uncharacteristic risks — overspending, impulsive travel, sudden business decisions, risky driving, or sexual behaviour out of character

• Being far more social, active, or productive than usual

Signs of a depressive episode

• Persistent low mood, sadness, or emptiness

• Loss of interest or pleasure in things previously enjoyed

• Sleeping much more or much less than usual

• Fatigue, low energy, or feeling physically slowed down

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness

• Changes in appetite or weight

• Withdrawal from people and activities

Patterns worth noting

• Mood changes that occur in distinct episodes lasting days or weeks, rather than shifting hour to hour

• Periods of elevated mood that others noticed or commented on, even if they felt good to you at the time

• Depression that has not responded as expected to previous treatment

• A family history of bipolar disorder, as there is a recognised genetic component

• Onset of first episodes in late teens or early twenties, which is typical, though it can begin at any age

Important: hypomania is often the hardest part to recognise, because it can feel productive, creative, and enjoyable rather than like an illness. Many people seek help only during depressive episodes, which is a major reason bipolar disorder is frequently mistaken for depression alone.

If the patterns above feel familiar — particularly if periods of low mood have alternated with periods of unusually high energy — a consultation with a qualified psychiatrist is recommended.

Understanding Your MDQ Result: Scoring and Interpretation

Unlike questionnaires that produce a single total score, the Mood Disorder Questionnaire uses a pattern-based result. A positive screen requires all three of the following to be met at the same time.

The three criteria for a positive screen

1. Seven or more symptoms endorsed — you answered "Yes" to at least 7 of the 13 mood and behaviour symptoms in Section 1.

2. Symptoms occurred together — several of these symptoms happened during the same period of time, rather than being scattered across separate periods.

3. Moderate or serious functional impairment — the symptoms caused at least moderate problems in daily life, such as difficulties at work, in relationships, with finances, or legal problems.

If any one of these three is not met, the screen is negative — even if the other two are met.

Positive screen — all three criteria met

Your responses meet the criteria for a positive MDQ screen. This does not confirm a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, but it indicates that a comprehensive psychiatric assessment is warranted.

A professional psychiatric evaluation is strongly recommended. Bipolar disorder requires careful clinical assessment and should not be self-diagnosed or self-managed.

Negative screen — one or more criteria not met

Your responses do not meet the threshold for a positive screen on this questionnaire.

A negative screen does not rule out bipolar disorder. If you are experiencing mood difficulties, a clinical assessment can still provide clarity — see the note below on why this matters particularly for bipolar disorder.

Why a Negative Screen Does Not Rule Out Bipolar Disorder

This point is important enough to state separately.

Bipolar disorder is frequently misidentified — commonly as depression, anxiety, or personality difficulties — especially when depressive episodes are far more prominent than periods of elevated mood. People often seek help during a depressive phase and may not recall or recognise earlier hypomanic periods, which can feel productive or simply like "a good phase" rather than a symptom.

The MDQ also detects hypomania less reliably than full mania, which means Bipolar II presentations can screen negative.

For these reasons, a negative result should not end the conversation if mood symptoms are affecting your life, and a positive result must be confirmed through full psychiatric evaluation before any conclusions are drawn.

The Bipolar Spectrum

The MDQ screens for bipolar spectrum symptoms broadly. Distinguishing between the following requires professional assessment — they are not distinguishable from a screening questionnaire.

Bipolar I disorder — full manic episodes lasting seven days or more, or requiring hospitalisation.

Bipolar II disorder — hypomanic episodes, which are less severe and shorter than mania, alternating with depressive episodes.

Cyclothymic disorder — chronic mood fluctuations over an extended period that do not meet full criteria for mania or major depression.

Other bipolar spectrum presentations — symptoms that do not fit neatly into the above categories.

Important Notes on This Screening

A screening questionnaire cannot diagnose bipolar disorder. Diagnosis requires a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation including detailed history, mental state examination, collateral information where available, and ruling out other conditions.

Symptoms resembling mania or hypomania can also arise from thyroid disorders, certain medications including steroids, substance use, and sleep deprivation. Establishing the cause is part of what a proper assessment does.

Do not start, stop, or change any medication based on a screening result. This matters particularly in bipolar disorder, where treatment decisions require specialist input and where changes made without supervision can destabilise mood.

Bipolar disorder is a manageable condition, and long-term outcomes are considerably better with accurate diagnosis and consistent professional care.

Clinical reference: Hirschfeld RMA, Williams JBW, Spitzer RL, et al. Development and validation of a screening instrument for bipolar spectrum disorder: the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. American Journal of Psychiatry, 2000;157(11):1873–1875.

This tool is provided for screening and educational purposes only and does not constitute a clinical diagnosis or replace professional medical advice.