Bipolar Screening Test (MDQ)

What is the MDQ?

The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a 13-item self-report screening tool developed by Dr. Robert Hirschfeld and colleagues and published in the American Journal of Psychiatry in 2000. It is one of the most widely used bipolar screeners worldwide and is reproduced freely by SAMHSA, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), the US Department of Veterans Affairs, and Mayo Clinic.

How is the MDQ scored?

A positive screen requires all three of the following:

• 7 or more YES answers on the 13 symptom items
• YES on the co-occurrence question (several symptoms in the same period)
• A rating of Moderate or Serious problem on the severity question

Any one of these missing means a negative screen. The two optional questions about family history and prior diagnosis are not part of the rule; they are recorded to give a clinician more context.

How accurate is the MDQ?

In psychiatric outpatient samples, the MDQ has a sensitivity of about 0.73 (it detects roughly 73 percent of true bipolar cases) and a specificity of about 0.90 (it correctly excludes 90 percent of non-bipolar cases). It performs best for bipolar I and is notably less sensitive for bipolar II and cyclothymia, where sensitivity can fall to around 0.30. Accuracy is lower in general population settings because of the lower base rate of bipolar disorder.

Can the MDQ diagnose bipolar disorder?

No. The MDQ is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument. A diagnosis of bipolar disorder requires a clinical interview with a qualified mental health professional, who will review your full mood history over time, rule out other explanations (ADHD, anxiety, substance use, thyroid disease, medication effects, sleep loss), and apply formal diagnostic criteria.

What counts as hypomania?

Hypomania is a distinct period of elevated, expansive, or irritable mood lasting at least four days, with increased energy and several symptoms such as reduced need for sleep, racing thoughts, increased talkativeness, heightened self-confidence, or risky behavior. It is less severe than full mania, does not cause major functional impairment, and does not involve psychotic features. Full mania lasts at least a week, causes marked impairment, and can include psychotic symptoms.

What is the difference between bipolar I and bipolar II?

Bipolar I requires at least one full manic episode, which often causes significant impairment and can require hospitalization. Bipolar II requires at least one hypomanic episode (milder and shorter than mania) plus at least one major depressive episode, with no history of a full manic episode. Both are part of the bipolar spectrum and both are highly treatable.

Why did the MDQ ask about family history and prior diagnosis?

Family history and prior diagnosis both substantially raise the likelihood that someone has a bipolar spectrum condition. They are not part of the MDQ positive-screen rule, but they are useful context for a clinician. This version records both on your results page and in the reported pattern, so you can share a complete picture if you choose.

Is my data stored anywhere?

No. All scoring happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your answers are never transmitted to any server, stored in a database, or shared with any third party. This screener deliberately does not encode your answers into the URL, so there is nothing identifiable to share even by accident. When you close the tab, your answers are gone.

What should I do with my results?

If you screened positive, or if any symptoms are especially distressing, bring your results to a GP or mental health professional. Ask for an assessment that includes a structured mood history and rules out other explanations. Bipolar disorder is highly treatable. Evidence-based options include mood stabilizers, certain antipsychotics, targeted psychotherapy, and lifestyle strategies that support sleep, routine, and stress management.