Bipolar Test
A confidential self-assessment built on the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ), the validated screen most widely used to flag possible bipolar spectrum symptoms. You get an instant, plain-language result that explains the full screening rule, plus a professional PDF report you can keep or bring to a clinician.
What this test measures
A real screen, scored the way the research intends
A bipolar screen is more than counting symptoms. The MDQ asks whether manic or hypomanic experiences happened together and caused problems, and we score all three parts the way the validation study does.
Lifetime symptom count
Thirteen yes-or-no questions about manic and hypomanic experiences you may have had at any point in your life. The core of the MDQ, scored from 0 to 13.
The screening threshold
Seven or more symptoms is the cutoff the validation research uses. We show you exactly where you land and explain what crossing it does and does not mean.
The co-occurrence and impact gate
A true positive screen also requires that the symptoms happened in the same period and caused real problems. We ask both and factor them into your result, the way clinicians do.
| Feature | Typical free quiz | Psychology.com |
|---|---|---|
| Validated MDQ questions | Sometimes | Yes, all 13 symptoms |
| Co-occurrence + impairment gate | No | Yes, both gate items |
| Full positive-screen rule explained | Rarely | Yes, in plain language |
| Clinician-reviewed interpretation | Rarely | Yes, MD reviewed |
| Downloadable PDF report | No | Yes, branded & shareable |
| Confidential (no data sent) | Often tracked | Runs in your browser |
How we built this test
Methodology & sources
The 13 symptom questions reproduce the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) developed by Hirschfeld and colleagues (2000), worded to stay faithful to the validated instrument while reading clearly. Each is answered yes or no, for a symptom count from 0 to 13. The validation study found that a count of 7 or more, combined with two further conditions, best identified people likely to have a bipolar spectrum disorder.
Crucially, the MDQ is positive only when three things are all true: at least 7 symptoms, several of those symptoms happening during the same period, and the symptoms causing moderate or serious problems. We capture the last two as separate gate questions and explain them in your result. This test is provided for education and self-reflection, not diagnosis. A positive screen means a professional assessment is worthwhile, not that you have bipolar disorder, and a negative screen does not rule it out.
- Hirschfeld RM, Williams JB, Spitzer RL, et al. Development and validation of a screening instrument for bipolar spectrum disorder: the Mood Disorder Questionnaire. Am J Psychiatry. 2000;157(11):1873–1875.
- Hirschfeld RM, Holzer C, Calabrese JR, et al. Validity of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire: a general population study. Am J Psychiatry. 2003;160(1):178–180.
- Zimmerman M, Galione JN. Screening for bipolar disorder with the Mood Disorders Questionnaire: a review. Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2011;19(5):219–228.
Common questions
Bipolar Test FAQ
What is a bipolar test based on the MDQ?
It is a short, research-based screening that asks about lifetime manic and hypomanic symptoms, whether they happened together, and whether they caused problems. The Mood Disorder Questionnaire is the most widely used bipolar screen, but it is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
What counts as a positive MDQ screen?
A positive screen needs all three parts: at least 7 of the 13 symptoms, several of them occurring during the same period, and those symptoms causing moderate or serious problems. Meeting all three suggests a professional evaluation is worthwhile.
Is this test a diagnosis?
No. It is for education and self-reflection only. Bipolar disorder can only be diagnosed by a licensed clinician through a careful interview and history. A positive screen is a reason to seek that assessment, not a conclusion.
What is the difference between mania and hypomania?
Both involve elevated or irritable mood with extra energy, but mania is more severe and can include psychosis or require hospitalization, while hypomania is milder and shorter. The MDQ asks about both because each matters for the bipolar spectrum.
Is the test really confidential?
Yes. It runs entirely in your browser. Your answers are never sent to a server, never stored, and never linked to you. No account is needed, and the optional PDF is generated on your own device.
Can bipolar disorder be managed?
Yes. With accurate diagnosis and treatment, often a combination of mood-stabilizing medication and therapy, many people with bipolar disorder lead full, stable lives. Early assessment helps.