Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) — Bipolar Spectrum Screening | Mental Health
Yes/no and Likert-style items screening for bipolar spectrum symptoms.
The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a widely used screening tool for bipolar spectrum symptoms within the Mental Health category. This short, evidence-informed questionnaire uses yes/no symptom items and brief follow-up questions to quickly identify patterns consistent with manic, hypomanic, or mixed episodes. It's designed for adults who want an initial, non-diagnostic assessment of mood instability, high energy periods, and changes in thinking or behavior.
This MDQ-style screening provides an accessible first step for anyone concerned about bipolar disorder or mood swings. The results can help you decide whether to seek a formal evaluation from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional. Remember: this screening is informational only and does not replace clinical assessment or diagnosis by a qualified clinician in the Mental Health field.
Have you ever had a distinct period where you felt so good, 'high', or hyper that other people thought you were not your usual self?
Think of any time in your life when your mood was noticeably elevated.
Have you ever been so irritable or easily annoyed that you started arguments or caused difficulties?
Irritability that is more intense than your usual self.
Have you ever had increased energy or activity levels that you couldn't control?
Periods of unusually high energy or restlessness.
Have you ever needed less sleep (e.g., felt rested after very little sleep) and still felt energetic?
Reduced need for sleep without feeling tired the next day.
Have your thoughts ever raced or felt faster than usual?
Difficulty keeping up with rapid, racing thoughts.
Have you been more talkative than usual or felt pressure to keep talking?
Noticeable increase in talking or inability to stop talking.
Have you had an increase in goal-directed activities (work, school, social) or purposeless activity (like pacing) that was unusual for you?
Large increases in activity level or restlessness that are out of character.
Have you engaged in risky activities (spending, sexual, business) more than usual during a period like this?
Risky or impulsive behaviors that are not typical for you.
Have you experienced increased self-confidence or grandiose ideas (feeling you could do things beyond your usual abilities)?
Unusually high self-confidence or unrealistic beliefs about abilities.
Have you had trouble concentrating because your mind was racing or you were distracted more than usual?
Difficulty focusing due to increased thoughts or distractibility.
Have friends, family, or coworkers noticed these changes in your mood or behavior?
External observations can be an important indicator of a change in functioning.
Have you ever used alcohol or other substances to cope with or manage these high-energy or mood periods?
Substance use to cope can complicate mood symptoms and assessment.
Have you ever had periods of both very high energy/mood and very low mood (depression) at different times?
Fluctuations between elevated and depressed moods suggest a bipolar spectrum pattern.
Did several of these symptoms occur during the same period of time?
Symptoms occurring together (concurrently) increase the likelihood of a manic or hypomanic episode.
How much did these periods of elevated mood or energy impact your functioning (work, relationships, finances, safety)?
Assess the noticeable impact on daily life and functioning.
Frequently asked questions
The MDQ is a brief screening tool used in Mental Health settings to identify symptoms commonly associated with bipolar spectrum disorders. It asks about lifetime history of manic/hypomanic symptoms, whether symptoms occurred at the same time, and the impact on functioning. It is not a diagnostic test but helps determine if a formal clinical evaluation is warranted.
No. The MDQ is a screening instrument only. A positive or high score suggests the possibility of bipolar spectrum symptoms, but a trained mental health professional must perform a clinical assessment, consider medical and substance-related causes, and use diagnostic criteria to make a diagnosis.
This version uses a simple scoring model that sums values assigned to selected options. Higher scores indicate more endorsed symptoms, concurrent occurrence, and greater functional impact. Score ranges are provided in the results section as guidance, but clinical interpretation requires professional evaluation.
This screening was developed for adults; symptoms and presentations can differ in children and adolescents. If you are concerned about a minor's mood or behavior, consult a pediatrician, child psychiatrist, or other youth mental health specialist for age-appropriate assessment.
If your screening indicates possible bipolar features or you have significant functional impact, schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, or psychologist. Bring any symptom timelines, sleep records, or notes about mood changes to help the clinician. If you're in crisis or have suicidal thoughts, seek immediate help.
The MDQ is a useful screening tool with reasonable sensitivity for detecting bipolar spectrum symptoms in many settings, but it is not perfectly accurate. False positives can occur (e.g., due to substance effects or other psychiatric conditions), and some bipolar cases may be missed. It should be one part of a comprehensive assessment.
This tool itself is informational. How responses are stored or shared depends on the platform providing the questionnaire. If you're using this MDQ through a healthcare provider or app, review their privacy policy. When sharing results with a clinician, expect standard healthcare confidentiality protections to apply.
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