Bipolar Disorder Test Questions with Verified Answers
What is Bipolar Disorder? - ANS -A disorder of mood consisting of episodes of
depression and mania (or hypomania)
a.k.a. Manic-Depression
What is a Manic Episode? - ANS -A period of elevated, euphoric or irritable mood
lasting at least one week
3 (or 4, if mood is irritable) symptoms characterized by accelerated cognitive and
behavioral activity which occur simultaneously with the mood change.(DIGFAST)
Must cause severe impairment
D.I.G.F.A.S.T. - ANS -way to remember characteristics of manic episodes
D-distractibility
I-insomnia (decreased NEED for sleep)
G-grandiosity
F-fast (racing) thoughts/flight of ideas
A-activities (increased/goal directed)
S-speech (overtalkative)
T-thoughtlessness/reckless/impulsive
What is a Hypomanic Episode? - ANS -A period of elevated, euphoric or irritable
mood lasting at least four days
3 (or 4, if mood is irritable) symptoms characterized by accelerated cognitive and
1
Page
behavioral activity which occur simultaneously with the mood change. (DIGFAST)
, Must NOT cause severe impairment
What is a Depressive Episode? - ANS -A period of sad mood or loss of interest in most
things all day long, nearly every day for at least two weeks.
4 symptoms characterized by decelerated cognitive and behavioral activity.
Must cause impairment
S.I.G.E.C.A.P.S. - ANS -way to remember characteristics of depressive episodes
S-Sleep changes (usually increased)
I- loss of interest
G- guilty feelings/worthlessness
E- Energy low
C- difficulty concentrating
A-Appetite changes (usually increased, or could be Reduced appetite but with carb
craving)
P-Psychomotor changes (usually retardation)
S-Suicidal ideation or recurrent thoughts of death
What is a Mixed Episode? - ANS -A mood episode including symptoms of both
depression and mania occurring simultaneously
Depressive Mixed Episode - mostly depressive with a couple of manic symptoms
Mixed Manic Episode- mostly manic with a couple of depressed symptoms
DSM V reflects the above more closely than just saying 'mixed'
2
Page
What is Bipolar Disorder? - ANS -A disorder of mood consisting of episodes of
depression and mania (or hypomania)
a.k.a. Manic-Depression
What is a Manic Episode? - ANS -A period of elevated, euphoric or irritable mood
lasting at least one week
3 (or 4, if mood is irritable) symptoms characterized by accelerated cognitive and
behavioral activity which occur simultaneously with the mood change.(DIGFAST)
Must cause severe impairment
D.I.G.F.A.S.T. - ANS -way to remember characteristics of manic episodes
D-distractibility
I-insomnia (decreased NEED for sleep)
G-grandiosity
F-fast (racing) thoughts/flight of ideas
A-activities (increased/goal directed)
S-speech (overtalkative)
T-thoughtlessness/reckless/impulsive
What is a Hypomanic Episode? - ANS -A period of elevated, euphoric or irritable
mood lasting at least four days
3 (or 4, if mood is irritable) symptoms characterized by accelerated cognitive and
1
Page
behavioral activity which occur simultaneously with the mood change. (DIGFAST)
, Must NOT cause severe impairment
What is a Depressive Episode? - ANS -A period of sad mood or loss of interest in most
things all day long, nearly every day for at least two weeks.
4 symptoms characterized by decelerated cognitive and behavioral activity.
Must cause impairment
S.I.G.E.C.A.P.S. - ANS -way to remember characteristics of depressive episodes
S-Sleep changes (usually increased)
I- loss of interest
G- guilty feelings/worthlessness
E- Energy low
C- difficulty concentrating
A-Appetite changes (usually increased, or could be Reduced appetite but with carb
craving)
P-Psychomotor changes (usually retardation)
S-Suicidal ideation or recurrent thoughts of death
What is a Mixed Episode? - ANS -A mood episode including symptoms of both
depression and mania occurring simultaneously
Depressive Mixed Episode - mostly depressive with a couple of manic symptoms
Mixed Manic Episode- mostly manic with a couple of depressed symptoms
DSM V reflects the above more closely than just saying 'mixed'
2
Page
