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Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)
Screens for bipolar spectrum disorder based on a lifetime symptom checklist.
Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)
Felt so good/hyper that others thought you were not your normal self, or got into trouble
So irritable you shouted at people or started fights/arguments
Felt much more self-confident than usual
Got much less sleep than usual and did not really miss it
Much more talkative or spoke faster than usual
Thoughts raced and you could not slow your mind down
So easily distracted that you had trouble concentrating
Much more energy than usual
Much more active or did many more things than usual
Much more social or outgoing, e.g. phoned friends in the middle of the night
Much more interested in sex than usual
Did things unusual for you, or that others thought excessive, foolish, or risky
Spending money got you or your family into trouble
Did several of these happen during the same period of time?
How much of a problem did any of these cause (work, money, relationships, legal trouble, arguments)?
Result0 of 13 symptoms
Negative screen — criteria for a positive MDQ screen are not met.
When to use
- Screening adults for a history of manic or hypomanic symptoms suggestive of bipolar spectrum disorder, e.g. before starting an antidepressant.
Formula
Positive screen requires: >=7 of 13 lifetime symptoms endorsed, AND several occurring during the same period, AND at least a moderate functional problem caused.
Pearls and pitfalls
- A screening tool only — a positive screen requires clinical interview to confirm a bipolar diagnosis.
- Sensitivity is lower in bipolar II than bipolar I disorder.