Bipolar Screening tool

Bipolar Self-Screening Test | Convo Africa
Private, browser-based self-check

Bipolar self-screening

Reflect on lifetime periods of unusually elevated or irritable mood, reduced need for sleep, increased energy, impulsivity or noticeable changes in behaviour.

This tool cannot diagnose bipolar disorder. It can help you decide whether a professional mental health assessment may be appropriate.

Start screening Learn about bipolar disorder
✓ About 4 minutes✓ Adults 18+✓ Answers stay in your browser

Before you begin

Answer based on periods across your lifetime when you were noticeably different from your usual self. Consider changes observed by you or by people close to you.

Look across your lifetimeDo not answer only for how you feel today.
Focus on distinct periodsThink about changes that stood out from your normal pattern.
Not a diagnosisOnly a qualified professional can diagnose bipolar disorder.
Need urgent help now? If you may harm yourself or someone else, feel unable to stay safe, have gone several nights without sleep while becoming increasingly energised or agitated, or are losing touch with reality, seek urgent local help or go to the nearest hospital. In Kenya, call 999 or 112 for an emergency.
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Changes in mood and confidence

Has there ever been a distinct period when you were not your usual self and experienced the following?

Please answer each question in this section.

Sleep, speech and thoughts

Continue thinking about periods that were clearly different from your normal state.

Please answer each question in this section.

Energy, activity and behaviour

Consider changes in energy, social behaviour, impulsivity and decision-making.

Please answer each question in this section.

Timing and impact

These final questions help place the experiences in context.

Did several of the experiences you marked “Yes” happen during the same period?
How much difficulty did these periods cause in your work, studies, relationships, finances, safety or daily life?
Have you ever been told by a qualified health professional that you may have bipolar disorder or another mood disorder?

Please answer the final questions to view your result.

Your screening result

“Yes” responses0
Occurred together—
Reported impact—

Important: This result is not a diagnosis. Bipolar-like symptoms can overlap with depression, ADHD, trauma, substance use, sleep problems, medication effects and physical health conditions.

Find a therapist Read the bipolar hub

Understanding your result

This self-check looks for a cluster of lifetime experiences commonly associated with manic or hypomanic periods. The number of experiences matters, but so do their timing, duration, intensity and effect on daily functioning.

Why professional assessment matters

A clinician will explore depressive episodes, elevated or irritable periods, sleep, medication and substance use, physical health, family history, safety, and how symptoms have changed over time. Screening results alone are insufficient for diagnosis.

Related knowledge hubs

DepressionUnderstand persistent low mood, loss of interest and changes in functioning. ADHDExplore attention, impulsivity and overlapping symptoms. AnxietyLearn about worry, agitation, sleep and physical symptoms. Trauma and PTSDUnderstand trauma responses and when to seek support. Alcohol useConsider how alcohol may affect mood, sleep and behaviour. Stress and burnoutReview exhaustion, sleep disruption and functioning. Grief and lossUnderstand grief responses, prolonged distress and pathways to support.

Related mental health screening tools

These tools can help you reflect on concerns that may overlap with, accompany, or be mistaken for changes associated with bipolar disorder. Each tool is for screening and reflection, not diagnosis.

Stress and burnout assessmentReflect on exhaustion, overwhelm, recovery and changes in daily functioning. Trauma and PTSD screeningReview trauma-related symptoms, avoidance, alertness and distress. Alcohol screening test, AUDITConsider alcohol use patterns and possible effects on mood, sleep and behaviour. Prolonged grief screeningReflect on persistent grief symptoms and their effect on everyday life. View all screening toolsExplore the complete Convo Africa mental health screening collection.

Frequently asked questions

Can this test diagnose bipolar disorder?

No. It is a non-diagnostic self-check. Bipolar disorder can only be diagnosed through a comprehensive clinical assessment.

Who should use this screening?

It is intended for adults aged 18 and over who want to reflect on lifetime periods of unusually elevated or irritable mood, energy, sleep and behaviour.

What does a result suggesting assessment mean?

It means your responses form a pattern worth discussing with a suitably qualified professional. It does not mean you have bipolar disorder.

Are my responses saved?

No responses are automatically transmitted or stored by this page. The result is calculated in your browser. This should be verified again after the page is integrated with any analytics, form or email services.

Can bipolar symptoms be confused with other conditions?

Yes. Symptoms may overlap with depression, ADHD, trauma, substance use, sleep deprivation, medication effects and some medical conditions.

When should I seek urgent help?

Seek urgent help when you cannot keep yourself or another person safe, have severe agitation or risky behaviour, have gone several nights without sleep while becoming increasingly energised, or are losing touch with reality.

Clinical note and references

This Convo Africa self-check is an original educational screening experience informed by recognised bipolar screening domains. It is not presented as the licensed Mood Disorder Questionnaire and should not be described as a validated diagnostic instrument.

For clinical context, see Hirschfeld and colleagues’ development and validation of the Mood Disorder Questionnaire, and current bipolar assessment and management guidance from NICE. Before publishing an exact copy of any proprietary questionnaire, confirm reuse and licensing permission.