Bipolar disorder (BP) is a mental health condition typically characterized by extreme mood swings between emotional highs and lows, referred to as “mania” and “depression,” respectively. With bipolar I, an individual must have at least one manic episode lasting seven days or requiring hospitalization. Taking an online bipolar disorder diagnostic test or mood affective disorder test can help an individual familiarize themselves with specific symptoms of BD so they can compare them with their lived experience. However, these assessment quizzes are not a substitute for the care of a licensed mental health professional and cannot provide an official diagnosis of BD. Read on to understand why they’re informational resources rather than diagnostic tools, and to find out what to do with the result of an online BP assessment.
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Are you interested in getting an official diagnosis?
An online bipolar assessment can help you understand common symptoms of BD. It may ask you questions about whether you’ve experienced them recently or in other periods of life and for how long if so. Severity and duration in particular can be important in understanding which form of bipolar spectrum disorders you could be exhibiting symptoms of, since bipolar I, bipolar II, cyclothymic disorder, and bipolar not otherwise specified (NOS) are generally differentiated by these two factors. Symptoms of bipolar disorder in general that a quiz may touch on include the following.
Common symptoms of mania
Feeling “up,” hyper, or elated
Having much more energy than your usual self
Feeling irritable
Feeling jumpy
Experiencing changes in sleep patterns (typically needing less)
Engaging in behaviors that pose risk to self or others
Experiencing racing thoughts and speaking quickly
Having unusually high productivity
Getting into legal trouble due to manic episodes
Common symptoms of depression
A feeling of sadness or hopelessness
A feeling of lethargy or restlessness
Changes in sleep patterns (getting much less sleep or more sleep than you typically do)
Forgetfulness
Trouble concentrating
Lack of interest in most activities
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What online bipolar tests can be used for
It’s important to note that the only way to definitively know whether you may have BP is by connecting with a mental health professional for evaluation and diagnosis.
They can use their training and experience to figure out whether your symptoms may be indicative of BP, another mental health disorder, or both concurrently during the same period of time. If you do receive a diagnosis, a health professional can recommend a treatment plan they deem appropriate for your unique situation and the bipolar symptoms you experience.
An online assessment, quiz, or questionnaire is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health care. The results of any online testing should not replace the advice of a mental health professional. However, these methods can still be useful to describe symptoms at the moment. For one, they can help an individual familiarize themselves with common symptoms of BP disorder. For another, they can help make them feel more confident in seeking the help of a mental health professional for an accurate diagnosis based on their answers.
What to expect with an online bipolar disorder test
There are many different types of BP tests and quizzes available online. Most BD tests take the form of multiple-choice questions that have you answer or rate how often you experience specific symptoms, which may be related to a manic or depressive episode. A bipolar disorder test may also ask about your sex life, energy levels, your confidence, whether you feel easily distracted, and other factors. Some are more in-depth questionnaires that will ask detailed questions about the number of symptoms and their duration, health conditions you may have, and questions about your mental health. Others are quick quizzes designed to provide a basic sense of whether your experience may line up with general BP symptoms, such as have you experienced a traumatic event, are irritable and have started fights, have you telephoned friends or a parent in the middle of the night, or do you feel like thoughts raced through your head recently?
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
Either type can provide useful information. The more important factor when choosing an online BD assessment is typically quality and whether it comes from a reputable source. Mental Health America is an example of a well-known, respected organization that offers a BP screening test online. A bipolar disorder test from an unknown or untrustworthy source may be a liability and contain incorrect or even harmful information or advice and may lead to you spending money on tests that are not valid.
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Are you interested in getting an official diagnosis?
In general, an online BD assessment will either suggest that you may have BP, or it will suggest that you likely do not. Here’s what to do with either result.
If you receive a positive bipolar test result
If an online bipolar disorder assessment tells you that you have BP disorder, remember that this does not constitute an official diagnosis, so you might want to question carefully the results. You might view the results as a sign that you may benefit from meeting with a mental health professional for an official, clinical evaluation. A therapist or psychiatrist can ask you questions about the specific symptoms you’ve been experiencing and then compare them to the criteria in the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to determine whether they constitute a diagnosis of BP disorder or some other mental health condition. They can then suggest treatment accordingly. While there is some cultural stigma associated with mental health conditions like BP, remember that this disorder is treatable and manageable, and that those experiencing it can and do live fulfilling, healthy, autonomous lives. After being diagnosed with BP your doctor or therapist may provide treatment options so that you can feel more like your normal self.
If you receive a negative bipolar test result
Receiving a negative result in an online BP assessment does not definitively mean you do not have this, another mental health disorder, or another health condition. If you are experiencing symptoms, a recommended next step is typically to meet with a mental health professional for evaluation. They can get an overview of any mental health challenges you’ve been facing and ascertain whether they may point to BP or another condition.
Seeking treatment for symptoms of bipolar disorder or any other mental health condition
Again, online bipolar disorder tests are unable provide an official diagnosis of any mental health condition. If you suspect you may have BD or another condition, it’s typically best to meet with a healthcare professional. Meeting with a primary care provider is a common next step, since they can conduct an evaluation to see whether there may be a physical health condition that’s causing your symptoms; for example, thyroid issues can cause depression and anxiety. If not, they may refer you to or suggest that you meet with a mental health professional. A qualified mental health care provider can then evaluate your symptoms and diagnose BD if appropriate.
If you receive such a diagnosis, treatment typically involves psychotherapy, sometimes in combination with medications, such as antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or other types of drugs that may help with symptoms. Other times, only one type of treatment may be needed. The right treatment plan for you depends on your needs, mental health, and personal development.
For those experiencing severe symptoms, meeting with a mental health professional in person is usually recommended. In other cases, an individual may seek mental health care in person or online, depending on their preference. Many people choose online care options because they’re often more affordable and reachable than traditional in-office sessions. With a virtual therapy platform, costs are comparable to the co-pays of most health insurance plans, and sessions with a licensed therapist can be availed from anywhere the individual has a reliable internet connection, which can reduce the stress of commuting. Since research suggests that online and in-person talk therapy can offer similar benefits in many cases, you can typically choose the format that feels right for you in your life right now.
Takeaway
In the past, people thought that BD was rare. However, we now know that it is common. Online bipolar disorder tests can provide some insight into common symptoms, but they are not considered an adequate substitute for diagnosis and treatment from a qualified health care or mental health professional. If you suspect you may have BD or another mental health condition, making an appointment with your primary care provider or consulting with a licensed mental health professional can be a helpful next step.
If your symptoms make it difficult to attend in-person therapy sessions, you might consider online therapy. With BetterHelp, you can discuss your concerns with a therapist from the comfort of home at a time that works for you. You may find that you start to experience improved moods and relationships as a result of treatment. Take the first step toward getting support with BD and contact BetterHelp today.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some frequently asked questions about this topic to discuss with your therapist.
The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
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