What score on the mood disorder questionnaire suggests a diagnosis of bipolar disorder?

A score of 8 or higher on the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is indicative of a potential diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This tool is designed to screen for bipolar disorder by assessing the presence and severity of mood symptoms, including both manic and depressive episodes.

When interpreting the score, a higher value signifies that the individual has experienced a more pronounced presence of manic symptoms. The MDQ also evaluates the impact of these symptoms on daily functioning and the degree of impairment caused by mood episodes. A score of 8 or above suggests that the symptoms are significant enough to warrant further evaluation for bipolar disorder.

Scores under this threshold, such as 5, 6, or 7, may still indicate mood instability but do not meet the criteria necessary for a likely diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Therefore, a score of 8 or higher is a critical cutoff for identifying individuals who may require further assessment and possible intervention for bipolar disorder.