Bipolar Mood Screen
Adapted from the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) by Hirschfeld et al. (2000). Screens for past episodes of mania or hypomania that may indicate bipolar disorder.
Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and you experienced any of the following?
1. 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?
2. You were so irritable that you shouted at people or started fights or arguments?
3. You felt much more self-confident than usual?
4. You got much less sleep than usual and found you did not really miss it?
5. You were much more talkative or spoke much faster than usual?
6. Thoughts raced through your head or you could not slow your mind down?
7. You were so easily distracted by things around you that you had trouble concentrating or staying on track?
8. You had much more energy than usual?
9. You were much more active or did many more things than usual?
10. You were much more social or outgoing than usual, for example, you telephoned friends in the middle of the night?
11. You were much more interested in sex than usual?
12. You did things that were unusual for you or that other people might have thought were excessive, foolish, or risky?
13. Spending money got you or your family into trouble?
ℹ If you answered "Yes" to more than one of the above: did several of these happen during the same period of time?
ℹ How much of a problem did any of these cause you — like being unable to work; having family, money or legal troubles; getting into arguments or fights?
About This Screener
This screener is adapted from the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) developed by Hirschfeld et al. (2000). The MDQ screens for a lifetime history of manic or hypomanic symptoms. A positive screen requires meeting two criteria: at least 7 "Yes" responses to the symptom questions, and confirmation that the symptoms co-occurred during the same period.
The MDQ has a sensitivity of 0.73 and specificity of 0.90 for bipolar spectrum disorders. Bipolar disorder is frequently misdiagnosed as depression because patients often seek help during depressive episodes. This screener specifically asks about the elevated/irritable mood episodes that distinguish bipolar from unipolar depression.