Bipolar Test
Try this simple screening for Bipolar Disorder
This Bipolar test is only a preliminary screening, and even a positive outcome suggesting Bipolar Disorder, does not warrant a diagnosis. A proper diagnosis can only be accurately made by a mental health professional. It is recommended that you print this page, and share the results of this test with your doctor, psychiatrist or therapist.
Screening for ManiaI. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and... 1. ...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? Yes No 2. ...you were so irritable that you shouted at people or started fights or arguments? Yes No 3. ...you felt much more self-confident than usual? Yes No 4. ...you got much less sleep than usual and found you didn't really miss it? Yes No 5. ...you were much more talkative or spoke much faster than usual? Yes No 6. ...thoughts raced through your head or you couldn't slow your mind down? Yes No 7. ...you were so easily distracted by things around you that you had trouble concentrating or staying on track? Yes No 8. ...you had much more energy than usual? Yes No 9. ...you were much more active or did many more things than usual? Yes No 10. ...you were much more social or outgoing than usual, for example, you telephoned friends in the middle of the night? Yes No 11. ...you were much more interested in sex than usual? Yes No 12. ...you did things that were unusual for you or that other people might have thought were excessive, foolish, or risky? Yes No 13. ...spending money got you or your family into trouble? Yes No II. If you checked YES to more than one of the above, have several of these ever happened during the same period of time? Yes No III. 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? No Problem Minor Problem Moderate Problem Serious Problem IV. Have any of your blood relatives had bipolar disorder ("manic-depression")? Yes No V. Has a health professional ever told you that you have manic depressive illness or bipolar disorder? Yes No
If you answered "YES" to 7 or more items in section I, and....if you answered "YES" to question II, and.... anwered "moderate" or "serious" problems for question III then this is considered a positive screen for Bipolar Disorder, and further evaluation by a mental health professional is strongly recommended. This Bipolar test is a commonly used initial assessment tool. Other causes of your symptoms will have to be ruled out before a diagnosis can be accurately made. Your therapist or psychiatrist may choose to use an additional bipolar test, and should conduct a full diagnostic interview. The bipolar test is also more accurate when close family or friends can offer accurate observations of your behavior.
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Bipolar Symptoms
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