Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale and Scoring

[gcvmom]

Found this interesting -- you can download the Bipolar Spectrum Diagnostic Scale as well as the scoring criteria. It goes without saying we should always consult a mental healthcare professional, but this can perhaps be helpful in determining what questions to ask at that appointment.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3599106/

 

[AnnieO]

You have to be a member for this... Sigh.

 

[crazymama30]

Yep, have to be a member. I would love to see the article.

 

[keista]

Ah, guys, membership is FREE. I'm a 16

 

[gcvmom]

Yes, membership is free If you want the file, I can email it to you because I was able to download the .pdf Just PM me.

 

[AnnieO]

I saw that it was free - however, something about the professional psychological community stopped me cold...

I can sign up, though. ;-)

 

[gcvmom]

Yes, well, I um, er, stretched things a bit.

 

[seriously]

I always list myself as "other" and if they want an area of practice or something like that I pick something like research. It is after all research...

 

[seriously]

just for kicks did the scale...

can't believe the cut off is 13.

I scored 58

 

[keista]

just for kicks did the scale...

can't believe the cut off is 13.

I scored 58

????? The one I did maxes out at 25 with no cutoff. Was there a second one posted?

 

[seriously]

If you read the story it refers to a cut off of 13 points for high suspicion of being on the bipolar spectrum.

The actual scoring instructions give score ranges that stop at 25. I just kept on tallying out of curiosity.

I already knew this of course. But clearly, I qualify.

 

[seriously]

Here's a link to a different weighted assessment tool developed by docs at Harvard that they use to screen for bipolar disorder. It is completed based on an in-depth interview where they try to elicit the information needed to complete the matrix.

I scored about 70 on this one depending on where you draw the line between hypomania/mania



http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/STEPBipolarityIndex.htm

 

[keista]

Gotcha. Must be my literal Aspie tendencies showing.

 

[seriously]

For the purposes of the person scoring the list, once you reach 25 you can stop tallying. That score is highly associated with bipolar spectrum illness.

 

[gcvmom]

Now the question for me is, how to get husband to take this test without knowing he's taking a test!

 

[keista]

Just ask him one question a day, like in normal conversation. Might work.

 

[gcvmom]

We don't have normal conversations. So I think that would be a red flag right there.