This online test should not be used for diagnosis. It cannot confirm if you have bipolar disorder or not. Only a doctor or a mental health expert can really figure out what you should do next.

However, you can use this test to monitor your symptoms and help your doctor see if your behavior changes between visits. This test can show if you might have common bipolar disorder symptoms, but it can't give a complete checkup.

You shouldn't use this test to diagnose yourself or choose a treatment on your own.

Understanding Mood Swings

Everyone feels happy or sad sometimes, but bipolar disorder involves more intense mood changes, like feeling extremely happy and energized at times and very sad or sluggish at other times. These aren’t just regular mood swings; they can be more extreme and affect daily life. Knowing about these different moods can help understand how bipolar disorder is different from just having a bad day or feeling super happy because something great happened.

High Energy Times

There are periods when someone with bipolar disorder might feel like they can do anything, have lots of energy, and need very little sleep. These times are called manic episodes. During these episodes, it might seem like the person is unusually excited, impulsive, or even irritable. It's like having too much energy and not knowing how to use it all.

Times of Feeling Very Down

On the flip side, someone with bipolar disorder might have times when they feel really sad, tired, or hopeless. These periods are known as depressive episodes. It’s different from feeling sad about something specific; it's a deep sadness that might make it hard to do everyday things. It's like wanting to sleep all day and not finding joy in things you usually like.

Why Knowing Helps

Understanding these signs can help people know when to seek help from a doctor or therapist. Bipolar disorder is something that doctors can treat with medicine and talking to a therapist. Knowing about bipolar disorder isn’t just about diagnosing it but also about understanding and supporting friends or family members who might be dealing with it.