Call to Clinical Action

1. Use the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) to screen for bipolar disorder before treating unipolar depression or other mood complaints.

2. Conduct a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation for bipolar disorder when a patient screens positive on the MDQ or has signs or symptoms suggestive of bipolar disorder.

3. Evaluate patients for bipolar disorder when they have atypical presentations of depression, apparent treatment-resistant depression, a hypomanic or other adverse response to antidepressant medication, or symptoms suggestive of schizophrenia or psychosis.’ ‹