Bipolar Disorder Screening Test
Take our free bipolar disorder screening test. Assess mood cycling, manic symptoms, energy fluctuations, and depressive patterns. Not a diagnosis. Instant results.
What is bipolar disorder?
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterised by episodes of significant mood elevation (mania or hypomania) alternating with episodes of depression. It's not simply mood swings or being 'up and down' — bipolar episodes are typically distinct periods lasting days to weeks, representing marked departures from the person's normal baseline.
Bipolar I disorder involves at least one manic episode lasting at least seven days (or requiring hospitalisation). Manic episodes involve elevated or irritable mood, decreased need for sleep, inflated self-esteem or grandiosity, racing thoughts, increased goal-directed activity, and risky behaviour. Bipolar II involves hypomanic episodes (similar to mania but less severe and shorter) and major depressive episodes — but no full manic episodes. Cyclothymic disorder involves numerous periods of hypomanic and depressive symptoms that don't meet full episode criteria.
Bipolar disorder affects about 1–3% of the global population and is equally common in men and women. It's one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, largely because of the depressive episodes, which are longer and more frequent than elevated episodes in most people. The average delay from symptom onset to correct diagnosis is around seven years — often because depressive episodes prompt help-seeking while the hypomanic episodes may not seem like problems.
The depression side of bipolar
Bipolar depression is frequently misdiagnosed as unipolar (standard) depression, particularly in Bipolar II where hypomania may go unrecognised. This distinction matters enormously for treatment: antidepressants given to people with bipolar disorder can trigger manic or hypomanic episodes and worsen the course of the illness. A key part of bipolar assessment is systematically exploring whether there have ever been periods of elevated mood, reduced need for sleep with increased energy, or unusually productive periods.
Bipolar depression often has distinct features that differ from unipolar depression: it's more likely to involve hypersomnia (sleeping too much), psychomotor slowing (feeling physically slowed down), leaden paralysis (heavy limbs), and atypical features. Mixed states — where both depressive and hypomanic symptoms occur simultaneously — are particularly distressing and associated with high suicide risk.
Bipolar disorder carries a significantly elevated suicide risk — estimated at 10–30 times higher than the general population. This is concentrated in the depressive and mixed phases. Access to appropriate treatment dramatically reduces this risk. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or go to an emergency department immediately.
About this test
This screening uses elements of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) and the Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32) — the two most validated bipolar screening instruments. It explores both the depressive and elevated mood dimensions of bipolar spectrum conditions.
This test screens for symptoms consistent with bipolar spectrum conditions but does not diagnose. A positive screen means the pattern of your mood history warrants a thorough psychiatric assessment. Bipolar disorder can only be diagnosed by a qualified clinician through a comprehensive assessment that includes a detailed mood history.
If this test raises a flag, it's particularly important not to begin antidepressant treatment without first having bipolar disorder properly excluded. Discuss your full mood history — including any periods of elevated energy, reduced sleep, or unusual confidence — with your GP or psychiatrist.
Getting support in Australia
If this screening suggests bipolar spectrum symptoms, the next step is a referral to a psychiatrist. Your GP can provide this referral. Psychiatry assessment through the public mental health system is bulk-billed but may involve wait times; private assessment is typically faster. Bring a mood diary or notes about any previous elevated or depressive episodes to your appointment.
SANE Australia (sane.org, 1800 187 263) provides specialist support for people with complex mental health conditions including bipolar disorder, as well as support for their families. Bipolar Australia (bipolaraustralia.com.au) is a peer-support organisation run by people with lived experience, offering support groups, resources, and connection to others managing the condition.
For those already diagnosed with bipolar disorder, mood stabiliser medications (lithium, valproate, quetiapine, lamotrigine) are available on the PBS. Psychological approaches including Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy adapted for bipolar disorder are evidence-based adjuncts to medication.
How to Interpret Your Results
| Score Range | Category | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 0–7 | Low Indicators | Your responses suggest minimal indicators of bipolar-related mood patterns. Mood fluctuations appear within normal range. |
| 8–15 | Mild Indicators | Some patterns associated with mood cycling are present. These may warrant discussion with a healthcare professional. |
| 16–23 | Moderate Indicators | Your responses show a moderate pattern of mood cycling. A professional assessment is recommended. |
| 24–30 | Strong Indicators | Your responses indicate significant patterns consistent with mood cycling. Please seek professional assessment. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bipolar disorder the same as mood swings?
No. Everyone has mood fluctuations. Bipolar episodes are distinct periods of abnormal mood lasting days to weeks — they represent marked departures from baseline, not just emotional ups and downs. The DSM-5 specifies duration and severity thresholds that distinguish bipolar episodes from normal variation.
Can you have bipolar disorder without obvious mania?
Yes. In Bipolar II, the elevated phases are hypomanic — similar to mania but less severe and shorter, and often experienced as positive (high productivity, less need for sleep, great confidence). Many people with Bipolar II don't recognise the hypomanic phases as symptoms, presenting only with depression.
Are antidepressants safe to take if you have bipolar disorder?
This is a complex and important question. Antidepressants can trigger manic/hypomanic episodes in some people with bipolar disorder. Many guidelines recommend against antidepressant monotherapy for bipolar depression. This is why a correct diagnosis matters enormously — treatment should be guided by a psychiatrist.
What happens at a bipolar assessment?
A psychiatrist will take a detailed history of your mood episodes — asking about the number, duration, and nature of both depressive and elevated periods. They'll ask about sleep, family history, functioning, and substances. This typically takes one to two hours. Bringing a family member who knows you well can be helpful.
Is bipolar disorder genetic?
Bipolar disorder has one of the highest heritabilities of any mental health condition — around 70–80%. First-degree relatives of someone with bipolar disorder have a 10 times higher risk than the general population. However, having a genetic predisposition doesn't mean you will develop it, and environmental factors matter.