If you experience Manic (Hypomanic) & Depressive Episodes, then you may require a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. Check out our bipolar disorder checklist.

Bipolar Disorder Checklist

This checklist is designed as a measure of disorder symptomatology. It must be interpreted in the context of individual client circumstances and as such should be used only in combination with a comprehensive medical and clinical assessment. It is NOT a stand-alone diagnostic tool.

If a patient experiences Manic (or Hypomanic) and Depressive Episodes, they may meet criteria for a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. The criteria for each episode type include:

Depressive Episode

  • Feeling low, irritable or appearing tearful

  • Reduced interest or pleasure in most activities

  • Marked increase or decrease in appetite, or significant weight loss

  • Difficulties sleeping and waking

  • Increased agitation or lethargy

  • Fatigue

  • Feeling worthless or guilty

  • Less able to make decisions or concentrate

  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

If a patient has experienced 5 or more of these symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, over at least a 2 week period, they may be experiencing a Major Depressive Episode.

Manic or Hypomanic Episode

  • Inflated self-esteem and grandiosity

  • Decreased need for sleep

  • More talkative than usual

  • Flight of ideas or racing thoughts

  • Distractibility

  • Increase in goal-directed activity

  • Excessive involvement in risky activities (e.g. overspending, sexual indiscretions, foolish investments)

If a patient has experienced 3 or more of these symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, over at least a 1 week period (and the behaviour and level of functioning is uncharacteristic of the person’s normal state), they may be experiencing a Manic Episode.

If the episode lasts less than 1 week but at least 4 consecutive days, they may be experiencing a Hypomanic Episode.

If a patient has experienced at least 1 Manic Episode, they may meet criteria for a diagnosis of Bipolar I Disorder. If a person has experienced at least 1 Hypomanic Episode followed by a Major Depressive Episode, they may meet criteria for a diagnosis of Bipolar II Disorder.

In either case, it is recommended that the patient be referred to a psychologist for a more comprehensive assessment. To book an appointment with a psychologist, contact Strategic Psychology on (02) 6262 6157 or email support@strategicpsychology.com.au.

DOWNLOAD CHECKLIST

Reference: American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5). Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.