Bipolar Spectrum Screening (MDQ)

The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (Hirschfeld et al., 2000) is the best-known screening for the bipolar spectrum: 13 yes/no questions about lifetime manic/hypomanic symptoms (elevated mood, irritability, self-confidence, reduced need for sleep, rapid speech, racing thoughts, distractibility, surges of energy, increased activity/sociability, interest in sex, risky behavior, spending). A fully positive screen requires ≥7 "yes" + co-occurrence (several symptoms within the same period) + moderate/serious impairment. Here is a simplified version based on the 13 symptoms; a full assessment is done by a specialist.

Before you start

This is a lifetime screening for the bipolar spectrum, not a diagnosis. A full positive MDQ screen requires three conditions: ≥7 "yes" out of 13 symptoms, AND several symptoms within the same period (co-occurrence), AND moderate/serious impairment. This simplified version counts only the symptoms (0-13) and may therefore over- or understate the result — don't interpret it as a diagnosis. MDQ symptoms overlap with PTSD, ADHD, anxiety, and borderline disorder — distinguishing them can only be done by a specialist.