Online bipolar screening tool

6% of Australians are affected by bipolar disorder. UNSW researcher Professor Gordon Parker, based at the Black Dog Institute, says that while understanding has increased, bipolar disorder is still frequently under-diagnosed. A significant percentage of people with the condition never receive a diagnosis and, of those who do, the interval from onset of the condition can be 15-20 years.  “Most people with bipolar disorder experience depression and periods of elevated mood - termed mania or hypomania. Such mood swings are often viewed as simply reflecting personality style or clinical depression waxing and waning. Thus, failure to obtain the correct diagnosis can lead to inappropriate or no treatment for a condition that can be brought under control.” Funded by the Department of Health and Ageing, Black Dog Institute researchers have developed and trialled an evidence-based screening self-test to help people identify the likelihood that they might have a bipolar disorder. The self-test is completed by more than 30,000 people/month.

Bipolar Self-Test (Mood Swings Questionnaire - MSQ)