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.

Reference:

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

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