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Eric Patterson
By The Recovery Village
Editor Megan Hull
Reviewer Eric Patterson
Updated on09/26/19

The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is specifically designed to help people find out if they may have manic or hypomanic symptoms linked to bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder that causes extreme mood episodes. Typically, people with bipolar disorder experience major depressive episodes and manic or hypomanic episodes that are characterized by intense changes in their thought processes and behaviors.

Since there are multiple types of bipolar disorder, it is important to consult a medical professional to receive an accurate diagnosis. The MDQ is only a starting point for people who believe they may have bipolar disorder, and the quiz results do not replace a doctor’s evaluation.

How Does the MDQ Work?

The Mood Disorder Questionnaire is a self-administered quiz that is comprised primarily of “yes” or “no” questions. After answering the questions honestly, the answers will be tallied up to determine a positive or negative screen. The MDQ should only take about five minutes to complete.

Validity and Limitations of the MDQ

Research studies have found that the MDQ provides a fairly accurate screening of bipolar disorder. The quiz can identify 70% of people who have bipolar disorder and 90% of people who do not have bipolar disorder.

The MDQ is better at detecting the manic episodes seen in bipolar I disorder than other forms of bipolar disorder. However, it is important to talk to a doctor to receive an accurate diagnosis. Each type of bipolar disorder can have its own unique set of challenges, symptoms and treatment plans that only medical professionals are qualified to assess.

Take the Mood Disorder Questionnaire

The Mood Disorder Questionnaire should only be used as a starting point. It’s important to keep in mind that a positive screening doesn’t always equal bipolar disorder diagnosis. Additionally, a negative screening does not mean that a person does not have bipolar disorder. The only way to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment is through a doctor’s evaluation.

You can take the MDQ test by using the quiz below. Please answer each question honestly and to the best of your ability.

1. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and…

...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?
...you were so irritable that you shouted at people or started fights or arguments?
...you felt much more self-confident than usual?
...you got much less sleep than usual and found that you didn’t really miss it?
…you were more talkative or spoke much faster than usual?
...thoughts raced through your head, or you couldn’t slow your mind down?
...you were so easily distracted by things around you that you had trouble concentrating or staying on track?
...you had more energy than usual?
...you were much more active or did many more things than usual?
...you were much more social or outgoing than usual?
...you were much more interested in sex than usual?
...you did things that were unusual for you or that other people might have thought were excessive, foolish or risky?
...spend so much money that you go yourself or your family in trouble?
2. If you checked YES to more than one of the above, have several of these occurrences happened during the same period of time?
3. How much of a problem did any of these occurrences cause you? Did they make you unable to work, lead to family, financial or legal troubles, or cause you to get into arguments or fights?
4. Have any of your blood relatives (i.e., children, siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles) had manic-depressive illness or bipolar disorder?
5. Has a health professional ever told you that you may have manic-depressive illness or bipolar disorder?

Your confidential assessment results will appear below. Please enter your information to proceed to your results.

Email Address
First Name
Last Name

Scoring the MDQ

After completing the MDQ, it is time to find out what your answers mean. You have a positive screening for bipolar disorder if you meet all of the following criteria:

  • Answered “yes” to seven or more events in question one
  • Answered “yes” to question two
  • Answered “moderate problem” or “serious problem” in question three

What Your Results Mean

A positive screening means that you may have a manic episode associated with a form of bipolar disorder. The next step is to schedule an appointment with your doctor to receive an evaluation and official diagnosis. A mental health professional can check these symptoms to judge their duration and intensity. A professional can differentiate these symptoms from those of other disorders like anxiety, attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or intoxication from a substance use disorder.

Only a medical professional can give you an accurate bipolar disorder diagnosis, and MDQ results do not guarantee a diagnosis. The questionnaire is simply a starting point for finding out whether you may have the disorder.

Bipolar disorder and substance use disorder often occur together. If you have a substance use disorder and a co-occurring mental health condition such as bipolar disorder, The Recovery Village can help. Contact us today to learn about treatment options that can help you recover from substance use and mental health disorders concurrently.

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