Medications

Chris Aiken, M.D. Psychiatry & Psychotherapy

• Mood Self-Tests >

Disclaimer:
This site is for information only and is not intended as a substitution for psychiatric treatment.

Two self-tests for mood disorders

(click here for a version that close family or friends can complete)

Mood Disorders Questionnaire
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?	Yes	No
...you were so irritable that you shouted at people or started fights or arguments?	Yes	No
...you felt much more self-confident than usual?	Yes	No
...you got much less sleep than usual and found you didn't really miss it?	Yes	No
...you were much more talkative or spoke faster than usual?	Yes	No
...thoughts raced through your head or you couldn't slow you mind down?	Yes	No
...you were so easily distracted by things around you that you had trouble concentrating or staying on track?	Yes	No
...you had much more energy than usual?	Yes	No
...you were much more active or did many more things than usual?	Yes	No
...you were much more social or outgoing than usual; for example, you telephoned friends in the middle of the night?	Yes	No
...you were much more interested in sex than usual?	Yes	No
...you did things that were unusual for you or that other people might have thought were excessive, foolish, or risky?	Yes	No
...spending money got you or your family into trouble?	Yes	No

2) 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

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

Scoring: If you circled at least 7 yes’s in section one, and answered yes to section two, and identified at least a minor problem in section three, you would benefit from a psychiatric evaluation for bipolar.
Source: Hirschfeld RM, Williams JB, Spitzer RL, Calabrese JR, Flynn L, Keck PE Jr, Lewis L, McElroy SL, Post RM, Rapport DJ, Russell JM, Sachs GS, Zajecka J. Development and validation of a screening instrument for bipolar spectrum disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry 2000 Nov;157(11):1873-5.

Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale

Instructions: Please read through the entire passage below before filling in any blanks.

Some individuals notice that their mood and/or energy levels shift drastically from time to time ___. These individuals notice that, at times, their mood and/or energy level is very low, and at other times, very high ___. During their ‘‘low’’ phases, these individuals often feel a lack of energy; a need to stay in bed or get extra sleep; and little or no motivation to do things they need to do ___. They often put on weight during these periods ___. During their low phases, these individuals often feel ‘‘blue’’, sad all the time, or depressed ___. Sometimes, during these low phases, they feel hopeless or even suicidal ___. Their ability to function at work or socially is impaired ___. Typically, these low phases last for a few weeks, but sometimes they last only a few days ___. Individuals with this type of pattern may experience a period of ‘‘normal’’ mood in between mood swings, during which their mood and energy level feels ‘‘right’’ and their ability to function is not disturbed ___. They may then notice a marked shift or ‘‘switch’’ in the way they feel ___. Their energy increases above what is normal for them, and they often get many things done they would not ordinarily be able to do ___. Sometimes, during these ‘‘high’’ periods, these individuals feel as if they have too much energy or feel ‘‘hyper’’ ___. Some individuals, during these high periods, may feel irritable, ‘‘on edge’’, or aggressive ___. Some individuals, during these high periods, take on too many activities at once ___. During these high periods, some individuals may spend money in ways that cause them trouble ___. They may be more talkative, outgoing, or sexual during these periods ___. Sometimes, their behavior during these high periods seems strange or annoying to others ___. Sometimes, these individuals get into difficulty with co-workers or the police, during these high periods ___. Sometimes, they increase their alcohol or non-prescription drug use during these high periods ___.

Now that you have read this passage, please check one of the following four boxes:

___ This story fits me very well, or almost perfectly

___ This story fits me fairly well

___ This story fits me to some degree, but not in most respects

___ This story does not really describe me at all

Now please go back and put a check after each sentence that definitely describes you.

(Note from Dr. Aiken: consider your whole life, and not just the recent past, in deciding how well this story describes you).

Scoring: add one point for each sentence checked. Add six points for ‘‘fits me very well,’’ 4 points for ‘‘fits me fairly well,’’ and two points for ‘‘fits me to some degree.’’

A score of 13 or above indicates you would benefit from a psychiatric evaluation for bipolar.

Source: Ghaemi, Miller, Berv, Klugman, Rosenquist, Pies. Sensitivity and specificity of a new bipolar spectrum diagnostic scale. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2005 Feb;84(2-3):273-7. Reprinted with permission from Dr. Ghaemi.