What your result means
Bipolar Screener
This is a screening questionnaire, not a diagnosis. Bipolar disorder can only be diagnosed by a qualified professional. A positive screen does not mean you have bipolar disorder. If your mood swings affect your life, please reach out to a mental-health professional.
The MDQ has three parts. A positive screen needs all three: (1) 7 or more of the 13 symptom items answered yes, and (2) several of them happened during the same period, and (3) they caused a moderate or serious problem.
What it does and doesn't mean
This is a screen, not a diagnosis. Lots of things — excitement, a good stretch, lack of sleep, other conditions — can look like the symptom list. Bipolar disorder is diagnosed by a clinician who looks at the pattern over time. A negative screen doesn't fully rule it out either.
What to do next
- If your screen is positive, or mood swings disrupt your life, talk to a GP/doctor or a mental-health professional and mention you took the MDQ.
- Note the high/low periods — when, how long, and what happened.
If you're struggling
If you're in crisis or have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your local emergency number, or a crisis line such as 988 (US) or 116 123 (Samaritans, UK/IE).