Take the check
The Mood Disorder Questionnaire asks about 'high' or elevated periods — the part of bipolar that's easy to overlook. Answer yes if there's ever been a time, even briefly, when you were clearly not your usual self in these ways.
Free bipolar / mood self-check
13 questions · about 2 minutes · no sign-up, nothing stored
What your score means
Each yes scores one point, out of thirteen. The MDQ's own cut-off is 7+.
- 0–6 — below the threshold. Below the usual screening cut-off for a mood episode on this scale.
- 7–13 — at or above the threshold. Enough symptoms to be worth a proper assessment — especially if several happened together and caused problems at the time.
What actually helps
A mood screen is a starting point. Whatever the result, these help:
- Track your mood over time. A simple daily mood note — even a number out of ten — shows patterns a single snapshot can't, and is genuinely useful to bring to an assessment.
- Protect sleep fiercely. Disrupted sleep both triggers and signals mood episodes. A steady sleep-wake routine is one of the most protective things for mood stability.
- Note the highs, not just the lows. People seek help for depression but forget the elevated periods. Those 'up' times are exactly what an assessor needs to hear about.
- Involve someone who knows you. Others often spot elevated periods before you do. A trusted person's perspective adds a lot to the picture.
- Get a professional assessment before concluding. Bipolar genuinely needs expert diagnosis — the treatment differs from depression, and getting it right matters.
When self-help isn't enough
This screen can't tell you whether you have bipolar disorder — only a proper assessment can, and that distinction really matters, because bipolar is treated differently from depression and getting it wrong can make things worse. If this screen is positive, or if your mood has swung between notable highs and lows, the right next step is a professional assessment. A counselling conversation is a good place to start working out where to seek that, and to get support in the meantime.
Talking to someone about it
A Lume Live session is a confidential 1:1 conversation with Sachin Bajaj, who holds an M.Sc in Clinical Psychology (Gurugram University) and a PGDGC from Jamia Millia Islamia. Sessions are ₹499 for 45 minutes, with your first at ₹249 using code FIRST50 — priced so that finding out whether it helps doesn't require asking anyone for money.
Nothing is shared with your parents, school, college or employer, and you can book using a first name only. For most people that matters more than the price.
Book a first session — ₹249
One 45-minute conversation. Pick your own slot and get the invite immediately. No package, no commitment to a course of treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Is this test free and private?
Completely. No sign-up, no email, no payment. Your answers aren't stored, sent or seen by anyone — they stay in your browser for the length of the check and are gone when you close the tab.
Does this diagnose bipolar disorder?
No, and this is important — the MDQ is a screening checklist, not a diagnostic tool. Bipolar disorder needs a thorough assessment by a qualified professional. A positive screen means that assessment is worth pursuing.
What is the MDQ?
The Mood Disorder Questionnaire is a widely used screen for bipolar spectrum conditions. Its symptom checklist has thirteen yes/no items; a full positive screen also requires that symptoms co-occurred and caused difficulty.
I only ever feel low — should I take this?
Possibly. Bipolar is often mistaken for depression because the elevated periods go unnoticed or feel good at the time. If treatment for low mood hasn't worked, screening for mood swings is worth it — but our depression check may fit better.
Is it anonymous?
Yes. No name, email or phone number to take it, and nothing recorded. If you later book a session, a first name is enough.