Bipolar Test

Category: Bipolar Online Therapy | Last updated: October 11th, 2018 | Reviewed and approved by:
Dr. Steven Gans, MD

Signs and symptoms of bipolar

Bipolar disorder is defined by shifts in mood, energy and activity levels. The mood shifts from periods of over-excitement (manic episodes) to periods of extreme sadness and joylessness (depressive episodes). Bipolar disorder is also sometimes called manic depression. It is common to experience bipolar symptoms for the first time in adolescence and the risk of developing bipolar is higher, if you have a close relative who has the disorder.

During a manic episode, it is common to have an elevated mood, be overactive, have an extremely high confidence and need less sleep. When you are manic you usually lose your judgment, often leading to behavior that can create problems when it comes to relationships, work and finances.

When in a depressive episode everything can seem to be difficult and you can lose the joy of living. You may experience difficulty concentrating, have low self-esteem and often suffer from insomnia and a decreased or increased appetite.

Manic symptoms:

Persistent elevated mood
Increased self-esteem
Decreased need for sleep
Easily distracted
Loss of judgment
Increased sex drive
Irritability and aggressiveness
Talking loud and fast

Depressive symptoms:

Joylessness and hopelessness
Low self-esteem
Insomnia
Difficulty in concentrating
Increased or decreased appetite
Decreased sex drive
Suicidal thoughts
Loss of energy

Sometimes you can have manic and depressive symptoms simultaneously. Between the episodes of mania and depression, a person with bipolar disorder may feel good and can live life as usual.

Bipolar is often subdivided into two sub-categories:

Bipolar disorder type 1

When affected by bipolar 1, you have experienced at least one full blown manic episode and may have also experienced a hypomanic (a less severe form of mania) or mixed episodes. You may also experience depressive episodes where you typically feel a significant degree of sadness and hopelessness and have problems functioning in your day-to-day life.

Bipolar disorder type 2

When suffering from bipolar type 2, you do not have the same extreme mood elevation as with bipolar type 1. Instead you experience a less intense "up" moods called hypomania, which is alternated with periods of severe depression.

The degree that someone suffers from bipolar disorder differs from person to person. There is no "cure" for bipolar disorder, but medications often effectively control symptoms. In addition, cognitive behavioral therapy can help you manage your condition so that you can live life as well as possible.

Further reading: Manage your bipolar with online therapy.

If you suffer from any of the symptoms described above, we recommend that you take this test. Evaluate the statements and select the option that you feel best reflects the way you have felt for the past two weeks. The test is, of course, anonymous and free (see our privacy policy).

This bipolar test is not to be seen as a final diagnosis. If you are uncertain about your result, we suggest that you get professional help as soon as possible.

True
Partly true
Not true
1. I experience episodes of manic symptoms as described above.
2. I experience periods where my mood shifts from episodes of happiness and over-excitement to episodes where I just feel sad and depressed.
3. I feel that the shifts in my mood are more severe than just normal mood shifts, which anyone can experience.
4. My episodes of “ups and downs” hinder me from living a normal functioning life.
5. I have a relative that suffers from a bipolar disorder.
6. During my periods of “ups”, I feel more talkative and talk fast with a loud voice.
7. During my periods of “ups”, I feel that my thoughts are racing, jumping from one idea to another.
8. During my periods of “ups”, I feel easily distracted and sometimes have difficulties in completing tasks.
9. During my periods of “ups”, I experience excessive involvement in pleasurable activities that have a high risk of negative consequences, e.g. spending too much money or sexual indiscretions.
10. During my periods of “ups”, I don’t need as much sleep as I usually do.
11. During my periods of “downs”, I feel generally depressed and feel like there is little or no joy in my life.
12. During my periods of “downs”, I usually gain or lose weight.
13. During my periods of “downs”, I have difficulties sleeping, such as problems falling asleep or problems getting back to sleep, if I have woken up during the night.
14. During my periods of “downs”, I don’t feel good about myself and experience a lower self-esteem.
15. During my periods of “downs”, my interest in sexual activities decreases.
Generating result...