Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)

The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a self-screening tool designed to help identify signs and patterns that may be associated with mood disorders, including bipolar spectrum conditions. It asks about experiences such as changes in mood, energy, activity levels, and how these shifts may have affected your daily life.

The MDQ is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test. Its purpose is to give you a clearer picture of whether the mood changes you’ve noticed could be significant enough to discuss with a healthcare professional.

Completing the MDQ can help you:

  • Reflect on your history of mood and energy changes.
  • Recognize how these shifts may influence your work, relationships, or daily activities.
  • Gather structured insights you can share with a healthcare provider if you choose to seek further evaluation.

How to Take the Test

  • Read each item carefully and answer based on your lifetime experiences—not just recent weeks.
  • Be as open and accurate as possible.
  • Once you finish, your result will be displayed automatically.

Understanding Your Result

  • Results with more reported symptoms suggest that mood-related challenges may be significant and worth discussing further with a professional.
  • Results with fewer reported symptoms suggest that fewer signs of mood instability are present.
MDQ – Mood Disorder Questionnaire
Instructions: This questionnaire is designed to help identify signs of bipolar disorder. Please answer YES or NO to each question.
Question 1
Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and…YESNO
a) You felt so good or so hyper that other people thought you were not your normal self or you were so hyper that you got into trouble?
b) You were so irritable that you shouted at people or started fights or arguments?
c) You felt much more self-confident than usual?
d) You got much less sleep than usual and found you didn’t really miss it?
e) You were much more talkative or spoke much faster than usual?
f) Thoughts raced through your mind or you couldn’t slow your mind down?
g) You were so easily distracted by things around you that you had trouble concentrating or staying on track?
h) You had much more energy than usual?
i) You were much more active or did many more things than usual?
j) You were much more social or outgoing than usual, for example, you telephoned friends in the middle of the night?
k) You were much more interested in sex than usual?
l) You did things that were unusual for you or that other people might have thought were excessive, foolish, or risky?
m) Spending money got you or your family into trouble?
Question 2
If you checked YES to more than one of the above, have several of these ever happened during the same period of time?YESNO
Several symptoms occurred during the same time period
Question 3
How much of a problem did any of these cause you – like being unable to work; having family, money or legal troubles; getting into arguments or fights?Please select one
No problem
Minor problem
Moderate problem
Serious problem
Question 4
Has a health professional ever told you that you have manic-depressive illness or bipolar disorder?YESNO
Professional diagnosis of bipolar disorder
Question 1 Score: Overall Result:
ResultInterpretation
Negative ScreenSymptoms do not suggest bipolar disorder
Positive ScreenSymptoms consistent with bipolar disorder. Further evaluation recommended.
Screening Criteria for Positive Result:
  • 7 or more “YES” answers in Question 1, AND
  • “YES” to Question 2 (symptoms occurred together), AND
  • Moderate to serious functional impairment (Question 3)
Important Note: This is a screening questionnaire, not a diagnostic tool. A positive screen suggests the possibility of bipolar disorder and indicates the need for further evaluation by a qualified mental health professional. Only a trained clinician can make a proper diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

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