Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)
How to Use
The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) can be administered either by the clinician or self-administered by the patient.
The MDQ consists of 15 questions and takes about 5 minutes to complete. The first 13 questions about possible symptoms are answered either “yes” or “no.” The other 2 questions assess presentation of symptoms and disease severity.
How to Score
Positive Screen - All 3 of the following criteria must be met:
Question 1: 7 out of 13 positive (yes) responses
Question 2: Positive (yes) response
Question 3: “Moderate” or “Serious” response
Question 1: 7 out of 13 positive (yes) responses
Question 2: Positive (yes) response
Question 3: “Moderate” or “Serious” response
Psychiatric Patient Sample:
Sensitivity: 73%
Specificity: 90%
Sensitivity: 73%
Specificity: 90%
Community Sample:
Sensitivity: 28%
Specificity: 97%
Zimmerman M, et al. J Clin Psychiatry . 2004;65(5):605-610.
Sensitivity: 28%
Specificity: 97%
Zimmerman M, et al. J Clin Psychiatry . 2004;65(5):605-610.
Video
The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is an excellent screening tool for bipolar disorder. It is considered a gold standard screening tool in the world of bipolar disorder. Even though treatment guidelines around the world recommend the use of measurement-based care, a shortcoming in our field is the lack of in-depth knowledge about what this instrument is, how to interpret scores, and how to utilize the MDQ in everyday clinical practice. This short (less than 8 minutes), learner-friendly video is designed to introduce the MDQ and get you ready to use it today. The creator and narrator of this video is Saundra Jain, MA, PsyD, LPC, a Psych Congress Steering Committee member.