Bipolar Disorder Screening Test

1. Manic symptoms: These include irritable mood, a decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, increased energy and goal-directed activity, grandiosity, impulsivity, risk-taking behavior, pressured speech, distractibility, and restlessness.
2. Hypomanic symptoms: These symptoms are similar to manic symptoms, but less severe and don’t cause significant impairment.
3. Depressive symptoms: These include a sad or irritable mood, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, appetite or weight changes, trouble sleeping, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
Because some of these symptoms can overlap with anxiety and other mental health conditions, a bipolar screening result should be interpreted carefully.

There are several types of bipolar disorders:
1. Bipolar I disorder: According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, this type requires at least one manic episode that lasts about a week. A manic episode happens when a person needs little sleep, has faster thoughts and speech, and engages in risky activity such as gambling, unsafe sex, or excessive spending. This type can cause severe disruption to life and in some cases may require hospital admission.
2. Bipolar II disorder: This type requires at least 1 hypomanic episode that lasts at least 4 days, and at least one major depressive episode. Mania usually does not happen in this type.
3. Cyclothymic disorder: This type involves both hypomanic and depressive symptoms that do not meet the full criteria for an “episode.” In this type of bipolar disorder, symptoms must be present for at least 2 years.
4. Other categories include specified bipolar and related disorder and unspecified bipolar and related disorder.

The evidence tells us that Bipolar disorder usually manifests between the ages of 15 and 25 years but it can occur earlier or later.
Reasons to take a bipolar screening test might include:
symptoms of depression,
3 or more depressive episodes during your lifetime,
a family history of bipolar disorder,
psychosis,
a lack of response or worsening to antidepressants,
substance use disorders,
any symptoms of mania or hypomania,
impulsive decisions,
new insomnia symptoms.

A bipolar disorder assessment might be helpful:
For people with mood problems, especially depression with other features which may suggest a bipolar disorder presentation.
Those with a history of depression resistant to treatment or a family history of bipolar disorder
People with anxiety or substance use problems
Those who have experienced atypical mood changes whilst taking prescribed antidepressants,
A bipolar test online can be a useful first step, but it does not replace professional mental health care.

No. A bipolar test online cannot diagnose bipolar disorder; only a qualified medical professional can make the diagnosis. Screening tests are designed to identify people who may benefit from more evaluation or treatment. A positive test result requires a more comprehensive evaluation.

The Mood Disorder Questionnaire is about 80% sensitive. This means it can detect bipolar disorder 80% of the time when it is present. This screening test is more accurate among patients with mental health conditions. When used in the general population, the accuracy drops, and it detects bipolar disorder only 43% of the time, using a cutoff of 7. Accuracy also depends on self disclosing honesty and a person’s level of insight. This can give a good overview of someone’s symptomatology so long as it is engaged honestly and if the person completing it has good insight.

Whilst an online mental health screening tool uses the same questions a clinician might, there are some differences too. For example information regarding context, individual differences is not taken in this online measure. Issues around extreme low mood and suicidality cannot be managed by this online screen. If you are concerned about extreme mood disorders in yourself or someone you are gathering information about please seek urgent mental health treatment urgently.

This screening tool is based on the widely used bipolar disorder questionnaire, the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), which was developed by Robert M.A. Hirschfeld, MD, Janet B.W. Williams, DSW, Robert L. Spitzer, MD, and colleagues. The original study included 198 patients and was 73% sensitive and 90% specific at a cutoff of 7. Sensitivity means the test can identify 73% of people with bipolar disorder. The test has been studied in many different populations and is validated as a useful bipolar assessment tool.

Other screening tools that have been used clinically and in research for bipolar disorder assessment include the Hypomania Checklist-32, which screens for 32 different hypomanic symptoms, and the Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale, which uses a narrative format. The Hypomania Checklist-32 is 82% sensitive, and the Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale is 69% sensitive when used in psychiatric settings.

On the MDQ, a score of 7 or more positive items, with symptoms that cluster together and interfere with life can suggest a possible bipolar spectrum disorder. However, it is important to remember that as this is just an online screening test that a lower score does not exclude bipolar disorder, and a higher score does not confirm it.

If your score is high, you should be evaluated by a mental health professional for a more comprehensive bipolar disorder assessment. You should make an appointment and be prepared to discuss your mood patterns, family history, medications, and other symptoms. If you are having severe symptoms, psychosis, or thoughts of self-harm, you should seek emergency care.

A bipolar self-test may be useful if you are experiencing new or changing mood symptoms. If you had a low score initially but have developed new symptoms, a bipolar quiz or in serious cases, accessing urgent support may be warranted. If you have depression and are having new patterns of symptoms during treatment with antidepressants or have not responded to treatment, bipolar disorder may be a consideration. When you choose to take the States of Mind screening tool you are not under any obligation to retake the test.