Do I Have Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder is often misunderstood — and frequently goes undiagnosed for years. Many people who live with it spend a long time explaining their experiences away as stress, personality, or just being "up and down." If you've noticed significant shifts in your mood, energy, or behaviour that feel bigger than ordinary life, this quiz is a starting point for making sense of what's been happening.
This is not a diagnostic tool. It's a way to reflect on your experiences and decide whether it's worth exploring further with a professional.
Why Bipolar Disorder Is Often Missed
Unlike depression or anxiety, bipolar disorder involves both low and high mood states — and the high periods, known as mania or hypomania, are often not recognised as symptoms. They can feel like productivity, confidence, or finally being at your best. This makes bipolar disorder genuinely difficult to identify, particularly from the inside.
It's also commonly mistaken for depression alone, particularly when someone presents to a GP or counsellor during a low period, without the full picture of their mood history being explored. Understanding what bipolar disorder actually involves, across both ends of the spectrum, is an important first step.
Common Signs of Bipolar Disorder
Episodes of unusually high energy or elevated mood
These periods can feel wonderful. Increased energy, confidence, creativity, and needing less sleep. But they represent a significant shift from how you normally function, and they often come with consequences.
Followed by episodes of low mood or depression
The contrast between high and low periods is one of the most recognisable features of bipolar disorder. Low periods can involve deep depression, fatigue, hopelessness, and loss of interest in almost everything.
Impulsive decisions during high periods
Spending money, making major life changes, engaging in risky behaviour, or saying things you later regret — impulsivity during elevated mood states is common and can cause significant disruption to everyday life.
Significant mood shifts that feel out of your control
These aren't just normal emotional responses to what's happening in your life. They feel bigger, less predictable, and harder to manage than that.
Changes that affect your relationships, work, or finances
The impact of mood episodes, both high and low on the practical areas of your life is often what prompts people to start asking questions.
People close to you have noticed and expressed concern
Partners, family members, or close friends often see the pattern before the person experiencing it does. If people in your life have raised concerns, that's worth taking seriously.
Do I Have Bipolar Disorder? Our Quiz
Trudy Jacobsen
Trudy Jacobsen is a highly experienced counsellor with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals and couples with her warm, grounded and outcome-driven approach. She is available for new clients for in-person appointments in Booval, Brisbane as well as online video appointments.
https://lifesupportscounselling.com.au/counsellors/trudy-jacobsen/
- Master of Social Work
- Bachelor of Social Work (Honours)
- Member of the AASW
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Not Sure What Your Results Mean?
Whatever came up in the quiz, if something resonated it's worth a conversation with a professional. Bipolar disorder is manageable with the right support, and the earlier that support starts, the better the outcomes tend to be.
How Depression Counselling Can Help
While bipolar disorder often also involves a GP or psychiatrist for medication management, counselling plays an important role in understanding mood patterns, building stability, and navigating the impact of the condition on relationships and everyday life.
It may be worth speaking to a counsellor or GP if:
- You've noticed a pattern of mood episodes that feel outside your control
- Your mood changes have affected your work, relationships, or finances
- You've been treated for depression but it hasn't fully resolved
- People close to you have expressed concern about your behaviour or mood
- You want to understand what you've been experiencing before deciding what to do next
Our counsellors have extensive experience supporting people with depression, and appointments are available face-to-face, online or by phone, seven days a week.
If you’re interested in learning more about counselling or would like to organise a session, call 1300 735 030 or leave us an email via our contact page.
FAQs
Depression involves persistent low mood. Bipolar disorder involves both low and high mood states — the high periods (mania or hypomania) are what distinguish it from depression alone. Many people with bipolar disorder are initially treated for depression because they present during a low phase, without the full picture being recognised.
Bipolar I involves full manic episodes that can be severe and may require hospitalisation. Bipolar II involves hypomanic episodes — elevated mood that is less extreme, alongside depressive episodes. Both are real, and both can have a significant impact on daily life.
Medication is often an important part of treatment for bipolar disorder, and a GP or psychiatrist is best placed to advise on this. Counselling and therapy work alongside medication to help with mood monitoring, relationships, and building a stable routine — they are typically most effective in combination.
No referral is needed. You can book directly by calling 1300 735 030 or via our contact page.