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Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) |
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Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer
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Nov 07, 2008 |
A + A - RESET
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If you think you may have bipolar disorder, complete this mood disorder questionnaire, print it out, and give it to your doctor or therapist.
The MDQ is a 13-item checklist designed to help your doctor or therapist determine if you are likely to have bipolar disorder.
Instructions: Please answer each question as best you can. Upon completing this form, print your completed form and take it to your health care practitioner.
This screening instrument is not a substitute for a full medical and psychiatric evaluation. If you or your family are concerned about your mental condition, please contact a healthcare professional immediately.
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1. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and...
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| ...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
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No
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| ...you were so irritable that you shouted at people or started fights or arguments? |
Yes
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No
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| ...you felt much more self-confident than usual? |
Yes
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No
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| ...you got much less sleep than usual and found you didn't really miss it? |
Yes
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No
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| ...you were much more talkative or spoke much faster than usual? |
Yes
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No
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| ...thoughts raced through your head or you couldn't slow your mind down? |
Yes
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No
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| ...you were so easily distracted by things around you that you had trouble concentrating or staying on track? |
Yes
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No
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| ...you had much more energy than usual? |
Yes
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No
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| ...you were much more active or did many more things than usual? |
Yes
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No
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| ...you were much more social or outgoing than usual, for example, you telephoned friends in the middle of the night? |
Yes
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No
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| ...you were much more interested in sex than usual? |
Yes
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No
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| ...you did things that were unusual for you or that other people might have thought were excessive, foolish, or risky? |
Yes
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No
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| ...spending money got you or your family into trouble? |
Yes
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No
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| 2. If you YES to more than one of the above, have several of these ever happened during the same period of time? |
Yes
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No
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| 3. 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
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How to Interpret the MDQ Score
- Question 1: 7 or more yes responses
- Question 2: Yes- i.e. these symptoms will have occurred together at the same time.
- Question 3: Yes- i.e. they must have caused some problems in aspects of your life.
A score of 7 or more with yes responses to Q2 + Q3 certainly suggests bipolar disorder is a possibility and should be considered and discussed with a professional.
A score of less than 7 and negative responses to Q2 and/or Q3 makes bipolar disorder unlikely but cannot exclude it entirely.
Source:
- Hirschfeld, R.M.A. et al. Development and Validation of a Screening Instrument for Bipolar Spectrum Disorder: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire Am J Psychiatry 2000 157: 1873-1875
next: Bipolar Disorder is a Serious Psychiatric Condition
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Last Updated( Feb 24, 2009 )
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reviewed by: Harry Croft, MD
Psychiatrist, HealthyPlace.com Medical Director
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