Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) — Test for Bipolar 1, Bipolar 2 & Manic Depression
This free bipolar test uses the MDQ (Mood Disorder Questionnaire), a validated screening tool for bipolar disorder. This assessment screens for manic and hypomanic episodes characteristic of Bipolar 1 Disorder (full mania) and Bipolar 2 Disorder (hypomania + severe depression). The test also helps differentiate bipolar disorder from depression alone and from BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder).
Elevated mood, racing thoughts, reduced sleep, impulsivity
Full mania vs hypomania (milder elevated episodes)
Depressive episodes alternating with mania/hypomania
Screening results + BPD differentiation
✓ MDQ validated screening for bipolar disorder
✓ Screens for Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 symptoms
✓ Includes BPD vs bipolar differentiation
The MDQ (Mood Disorder Questionnaire) is a validated screening tool for bipolar disorder developed by researchers and used worldwide by psychiatrists and mental health professionals. It assesses manic and hypomanic symptoms through 13 yes/no questions about periods of elevated or irritable mood, plus questions about symptom clustering and functional impairment. A positive screen requires: 7+ yes answers, symptoms occurring together, and moderate to serious problems caused. This free bipolar disorder test uses the MDQ to screen for Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2.
Bipolar 1 Disorder: Full manic episodes lasting 7+ days with severely elevated mood, racing thoughts, reduced need for sleep, impulsivity, risky behavior, and sometimes psychosis. Mania is severe enough to cause major problems or require hospitalization. Also includes depressive episodes (though not required for diagnosis).
Bipolar 2 Disorder: Hypomanic episodes (4+ days of elevated mood and increased energy, less severe than full mania) alternating with major depressive episodes. Hypomania doesn't cause severe impairment and doesn't include psychosis. Bipolar 2 has more frequent and severe depression than Bipolar 1.
Key difference: Mania (Bipolar 1) is more severe, causes major problems, may include hospitalization. Hypomania (Bipolar 2) is milder, may feel good or productive, often unrecognized. Both require professional treatment. This bipolar test free screening helps identify symptoms of both types.
BPD and bipolar disorder are often confused but are distinct conditions:
BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder): Rapid, intense mood shifts (minutes to hours) triggered by relationships or events, fear of abandonment, unstable sense of self, impulsivity, self-harm behaviors, unstable relationships. Mood changes are reactive to external events.
Bipolar Disorder: Distinct mood episodes (depression, mania, hypomania) lasting days to weeks, not triggered by external events, discrete episodes with periods of normal mood between, biological/genetic basis, responds to mood stabilizers.
Can overlap: Some people have both conditions. Both involve impulsivity and mood instability. However, bipolar has distinct episodes while BPD has rapid, reactive shifts. This BPD vs bipolar test helps differentiate symptom patterns. Professional evaluation is needed for accurate diagnosis.
Many people with bipolar disorder spend more time depressed than manic/hypomanic. Bipolar depression includes: severe sadness, loss of interest, fatigue, sleep changes (insomnia or hypersomnia), concentration problems, feelings of worthlessness, sometimes suicidal thoughts.
Why it's dangerous to miss: If you're treated for "depression" without recognizing bipolar disorder, antidepressants alone can trigger manic episodes, rapid cycling, or mixed states. This is why testing for bipolar depression (screening for both depressive AND manic symptoms) is critical.
Warning signs bipolar (not just depression): Past periods of unusually high energy, reduced sleep without fatigue, racing thoughts, impulsive decisions, family history of bipolar disorder, antidepressants made you feel "too good" or caused agitation/insomnia.
If depressed, take this test bipolar depression screening before starting treatment. Proper diagnosis leads to proper treatment (mood stabilizers + antidepressants, not antidepressants alone).
Bipolar disorder often begins in adolescence or young adulthood.Teenage bipolar symptoms: severe mood swings beyond normal teen moodiness, periods of extreme irritability or rage, risky behaviors (substance use, sexual activity, recklessness), dramatic sleep changes (staying up all night without being tired), racing thoughts and pressured speech, poor judgment and impulsive decisions, severe depression alternating with high energy.
Why it's missed: Symptoms attributed to "being a teenager," ADHD, or conduct problems. However, bipolar disorder in teens can be severe and requires treatment. Untreated bipolar disorder increases risk of suicide, substance abuse, and academic problems.
When to test: If your teenager has extreme mood swings with periods of high energy/impulsivity alternating with depression, family history of bipolar disorder, or behavior drastically different from peers. This teenage bipolar test can screen for symptoms requiring professional evaluation. Diagnosis requires comprehensive psychiatric assessment, as teenage bipolar can appear different from adult bipolar.
Bipolar disorder is highly treatable with proper medication and therapy:
Medication (essential for bipolar):
Mood Stabilizers: Lithium (gold standard, very effective), Valproate (Depakote), Lamotrigine (Lamictal - especially for Bipolar 2), Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Atypical Antipsychotics: Quetiapine (Seroquel), Olanzapine (Zyprexa), Aripiprazole (Abilify), Lurasidone (Latuda - for bipolar depression)
Antidepressants: ONLY with mood stabilizer (never alone in bipolar), used cautiously
Therapy (important adjunct): CBT for bipolar disorder, family-focused therapy, interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), psychoeducation about bipolar disorder and medication.
Lifestyle (critical for stability): Regular sleep schedule (extremely important), avoid alcohol and drugs (trigger episodes), stress management, mood tracking, recognizing early warning signs of episodes.
Genetic Testing: Some people pursue bipolar genetic testing or genetic testing for bipolar disorder to understand hereditary risk, though no definitive genetic test exists. Pharmacogenetic testing can help predict medication response.
Prognosis: With proper treatment, most people with bipolar disorder achieve stability and lead productive lives. Medication compliance is critical - stopping medications often triggers relapse.
Bipolar 1: Full manic episodes (7+ days) with severely elevated mood, racing thoughts, reduced sleep need, impulsivity, risky behavior, sometimes psychosis or hospitalization. May also have depressive episodes (but not required for diagnosis). Mania is obvious and causes major problems.
Bipolar 2: Hypomanic episodes (4+ days) with elevated mood and increased energy but less severe than mania, doesn't cause severe impairment, no psychosis, PLUS major depressive episodes (required for Bipolar 2 diagnosis). More time spent depressed than Bipolar 1. Hypomania often feels good, productive, making diagnosis harder.
Why it matters: Bipolar 2 is often misdiagnosed as depression because hypomania isn't recognized. Treatment is similar but Bipolar 2 requires different medication approaches for depression phase. This free bipolar test screens for both Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2 symptoms.
Yes! Our bipolar disorder test is 100% free with no hidden costs, no sign-up, and no email required. This is the MDQ screening tool used by psychiatrists worldwide. You'll get instant results indicating likelihood of bipolar disorder and whether professional evaluation is recommended. This bipolar test free screening is accessible anytime you need it.
BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder): Rapid, intense mood shifts (minutes to hours) triggered by relationships/events, fear of abandonment, unstable self-image, impulsivity, self-harm, unstable relationships. Mood changes are reactive and situation-dependent.
Bipolar Disorder: Distinct mood episodes (depression, mania/hypomania) lasting days to weeks, NOT triggered by external events, discrete episodes with normal periods between, genetic/biological basis, responds to mood stabilizers.
Key differences: Bipolar has distinct episodes; BPD has reactive, rapid shifts. Bipolar mood changes are biological; BPD mood changes are relational. Bipolar episodes last days/weeks; BPD shifts last hours. Different treatments: bipolar needs medication (mood stabilizers); BPD needs therapy (DBT).
This BPD vs bipolar test or bipolar vs BPD test helps identify symptom patterns, but professional evaluation is needed for accurate differential diagnosis. Some people have both conditions.
No. The MDQ is a validated screening tool, not a diagnostic test. Only a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose bipolar disorder through comprehensive clinical evaluation including: detailed psychiatric history, mood episode assessment, family history, ruling out other conditions (thyroid, substance use), and sometimes bipolar disorder psychological testing battery assessments or neuropsychological testing. This test helps identify symptoms suggesting professional evaluation is needed.
No definitive blood test for bipolar disorder exists. Diagnosis is clinical (based on symptoms, history, mood episodes). However, blood tests may be used to:
• Rule out medical conditions (thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies)
• Monitor medication levels (lithium levels, liver function)
• Check for medication side effects
• Genetic markers (research stage, not diagnostic)
Some people ask about bipolar genetic testing or genetic testing for bipolar disorder. While bipolar has strong genetic component (50-80% heritability), no definitive genetic test exists for diagnosis. Pharmacogenetic testing may help predict medication response. This online bipolar screening helps identify symptoms requiring professional evaluation where appropriate testing can be discussed.
Yes. Bipolar disorder often begins in adolescence or young adulthood. Average age of onset is late teens to early 20s, though some experience symptoms earlier. Teenage bipolar symptoms: extreme mood swings, severe irritability, risky behaviors, reduced sleep without fatigue, racing thoughts, impulsivity, depression alternating with high energy periods.
Challenges in teens: Symptoms may be attributed to "normal" teenage behavior, ADHD, or conduct problems. However, bipolar disorder in teens can be severe and requires treatment. Untreated bipolar increases suicide risk, substance abuse, and academic problems.
If your teenager shows extreme mood swings beyond normal teen moodiness, has periods of drastically reduced sleep, engages in risky behavior, or has family history of bipolar disorder, psychiatric evaluation is recommended. This teenage bipolar test can screen for symptoms, but comprehensive assessment by child psychiatrist is needed for diagnosis.
If your screening suggests possible bipolar disorder:
Immediate steps:
• Use our free AI therapist for immediate support
• Document mood patterns: high-energy periods, depressive periods, triggers, duration
• Note family history of bipolar disorder or mood disorders
• Avoid starting antidepressants without psychiatric evaluation
Seek professional evaluation:
• Schedule appointment with psychiatrist (specialized in mood disorders if possible)
• Bring mood documentation and family history
• Request comprehensive bipolar evaluation
• Discuss psychological testing battery if needed
• Be honest about all symptoms (mania, hypomania, depression)
Treatment discussion:
• Mood stabilizers (lithium, valproate, lamotrigine)
• Atypical antipsychotics if needed
• Therapy (CBT for bipolar, family therapy)
• Lifestyle: sleep schedule, stress management, substance avoidance
Early treatment leads to better outcomes. Bipolar disorder is highly treatable with proper medication and therapy.
Yes, very commonly:
Bipolar vs Depression: People with bipolar disorder often seek help during depressive episodes without recognizing or reporting manic/hypomanic symptoms. Result: misdiagnosis as "depression" and treatment with antidepressants alone, which can trigger mania. Up to 60% of people with bipolar disorder are initially misdiagnosed with depression.
Bipolar vs ADHD: Symptoms overlap: distractibility, impulsivity, racing thoughts, talking fast, high energy. However, ADHD is chronic (present since childhood, constant), while bipolar is episodic (distinct mood episodes with normal periods between). Some people have both conditions.
Red flags bipolar (not just depression/ADHD):
• Past periods of reduced sleep without being tired
• Times of unusual productivity or risky behavior
• Family history of bipolar disorder
• Antidepressants made you feel agitated, "too good," or triggered mania
• Symptoms come in episodes (not constant)
If diagnosed with depression or ADHD but have these red flags, bipolar evaluation is warranted. Proper diagnosis leads to proper treatment.