Mount Carmel Health Partners Clinical Guidelines Major Depression | Page 9

THE MOOD DISORDER QUESTIONNAIRE (MDQ)
Instructions: Please answer each question to the best of your ability. Place a check mark in the appropriate box.
1. Has there ever been a period of time when you were not your usual self and (while not using
drugs or alcohol) . . .
Yes
. . . 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?
. . . you were so irritable that you shouted at people or started fights or arguments?
. . . you felt much more self-confident than usual?
. . . you got much less sleep than usual and found you didn't really miss it?
. . . you were much more talkative or spoke faster than usual?
. . . thoughts raced through your head or you couldn't slow your mind down?
. . . you were so easily distracted by things around you that you had trouble concentrating or staying
on track?
. . . you had much more energy than usual?
. . . you were much more active or did many more things than usual?
. . . you were much more social or outgoing than usual; for example, you telephoned friends in the
middle of the night?
. . . you were much more interested in sex than usual?
. . . you did things that were unusual for you or that other people might have thought were
excessive, foolish, or risky?
. . . spending money got you or your family into trouble?
2. If you answered YES to more than one of the above, have several of these ever happened during
at least a four-day period of time?
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? (circle your response)
No Problem
Minor Problem
Moderate Problem
Serious Problem
4. Have any of your blood relatives (i.e., children, siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles) had
manic depressive illness or bipolar disorder?
5. Has a health professional ever told you that you have manic depressive illness or bipolar disorder?
SCORING THE MOOD DISORDER QUESTIONNAIRE (MDQ)
The MDQ screens for Bipolar Spectrum Disorder, (which includes Bipolar I, Bipolar II and Bipolar NOS).
If the patient answers . . .
• “Yes” to seven or more of the 13 items in question number 1
AND
• “Yes” to question number 2
AND
• “Moderate” or “Serious” to question number 3
. . . you have a positive screen. All three of the criteria above should be met. A positive screen should
be followed by a comprehensive medical evaluation for Bipolar Spectrum Disorder.
Major Depression - 9
No