MDQ Screening
Bipolar test
This screening follows the same three-part method as the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ): a checklist of past experiences, whether several happened around the same time, and how much of a problem they caused. It flags whether a fuller evaluation for bipolar disorder is worth pursuing — it does not diagnose it.
Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and…
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By the numbers Context
How common is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is defined by swings between depressive lows and elevated “high” states — mania in bipolar I, or the milder hypomania in bipolar II. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates about 2.8% of U.S. adults have bipolar disorder in a given year and 4.4% over their lifetime, and among mood disorders it carries the highest share of cases rated as “serious”.
Its defining feature is also its blind spot. The depressive phase looks identical to ordinary depression and is usually what sends someone to the doctor, while the highs can feel productive rather than like a problem — so bipolar disorder is commonly mistaken for depression for years. Screening for the high periods, as this test does, is how that pattern gets noticed. Because antidepressants alone can destabilise bipolar disorder, getting the distinction right genuinely changes treatment.
2.8%
of U.S. adults had bipolar disorder in the past year
NIMH
4.4%
lifetime prevalence among U.S. adults
NIMH
≈83%
of past-year cases rated “serious” — the highest of any mood disorder
NIMH
Sources: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) / Harvard NCS-R prevalence data.
Frequently asked questions
What are the signs of bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder involves both lows and highs. The high phase can include an elevated or irritable mood, needing far less sleep without feeling tired, racing thoughts, fast speech, grandiosity, and impulsive or risky decisions. The low phase looks like depression. The pattern of distinct episodes over time is the key.
What is the difference between bipolar 1 and bipolar 2?
Bipolar I involves at least one full manic episode — severe enough to disrupt life or need hospital care. Bipolar II involves hypomania (a milder high that never tips into full mania) plus major depression. Bipolar II is not the “mild” version; its depressions are often heavier and more frequent.
What tests confirm bipolar disorder?
There is no blood test or brain scan that confirms bipolar disorder. It is diagnosed by a clinician through a careful history — especially of any high or wired periods. Screens like the MDQ flag whether that pattern is worth exploring; they do not confirm the diagnosis.
What are the symptoms of bipolar 2?
Bipolar II combines major depressive episodes with hypomania — periods of elevated energy, reduced need for sleep, talkativeness, and confidence that are noticeable to others but do not reach full mania or cause the severe disruption of bipolar I. Many people notice the depressions far more than the highs.
Can an online test diagnose bipolar disorder?
No. Only a qualified clinician can diagnose bipolar disorder. This screen indicates whether your history of highs and lows is worth raising with a professional.
Can someone with bipolar disorder live a normal life?
Yes. Many people with bipolar disorder live full, stable lives. Treatment — usually including a mood stabiliser, alongside therapy and routine — makes that far more achievable. Stopping medication without medical guidance is one of the most common triggers for relapse, so it is a decision to make with a psychiatrist, not alone.
Is the bipolar test free and private?
Yes — free, no sign-up, and scored entirely in your browser. Your answers never leave your device.