Bipolar disorder used to called 'manic depression'. Someone with bipolar disorder will have severe mood swings, either feeling low and depressed, or high and manic. These usually last several weeks or months and are far beyond what most of us experience.

Because bipolar disorder results in mood swings when answering the questions try to think back to a period of low or high mood and apply them to that time period.

If you answer yes to several of these, in both categories, it may be an indicator of bipolar disorder. If you answer yes to more than half in either category, but only one or two in the other category it may be an indicator of depression or mania. In either case it is advised that you visit your GP.

A) MANIC EPISODES

1. Have you been feeling very happy and excited and is this unrelated to events in your life?

2. Do you feel more important than usual, for example that you are in some way better than your colleagues or friends?

3. Are you having lots of new and exciting ideas that seem to come very quickly into your mind?

4. Are you feeling very full of energy and being much more active than usual?

5. Are you unable or unwilling to sleep?

6. Are you making plans that are unrealistic or grandiose, for example holidays you can’t afford?

7. Do you talk very quickly and do people find it hard to follow your thoughts while they seem clear to you?

8. Are you spending a lot more money than usual?

9. Do you find yourself being over familiar with other people, for example touching them more frequently or enquiring about and discussing personal matters?

10. Do you make unusual decisions on the spur of the moment, for example a sudden desire to visit somewhere or see somebody?

B) DEPRESSIVE EPISODES

1. Do you feel unhappy most of the time?

2. Are you finding it hard to cope with things that used to be manageable?

3. Have you lost interest and enjoyment in activities that you used to enjoy?

4. Are you finding it harder to make decisions?

5. Are you having trouble sleeping?

6. Have you experienced a loss of appetite or have you lost weight?

7. Are you feeling worn out and tired?

8. Do you lack self-confidence in areas that you used to feel competent in?

9. Have you been avoiding other people or friends?

10. Do you ever contemplate suicide as a way out of your problems?

If you're worried you may be suffering from bipolar disorder, depression or mania visit your GP

For help, support or further information contact one of the following organisations:

Royal College of Psychiatrists factsheet on Bipolar disorder

The Bipolar Organisation

Support, advice and information for people with bipolar disorder, their friends, relatives and carers

Bipolar Fellowship Scotland

Promoting self-help for people with bipolar disorder, their relatives, friends and carers in Scotland

Samaritans

National telephone helpline and email service for those in distress, who feel suicidal or need someone to talk to.

SaneLine

A national out-of-hours telephone helpline offering emotional support and information for people affected by mental health problems. Open from 6pm to 11pm every day of the year.

Young Minds

National charity for young people with mental health problems

Questionnaire compiled with the help of Dr Jim Bolton and Dr Martin Briscoe, consultant psychiatrists and members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists Public Education Editorial Board