A clinician evaluating an adolescent (or adult) for Bipolar I or Bipolar II disorder will ask questions that explore mood patterns, sleep, energy, behavior, impulsivity, family history, and functional changes. These questions aren’t about “catching” someone — they’re about understanding patterns that distinguish bipolar disorder from depression, ADHD, trauma, or typical teen behavior.

Below is a structured, comprehensive list of the kinds of questions clinicians typically ask, organized by what they’re trying to understand. Each section begins with a Guided Link so you can explore any part more deeply.

Mood and emotional patterns

• Mood highs — “Have you ever had periods where you felt unusually happy, energized, or confident, even if others thought it was out of character?”

• Irritability spikes — “Have there been times when you felt unusually irritable or angry for several days?”

• Mood duration — “How long do these mood changes last — hours, days, or weeks?”

• Mood cycling — “Do your moods shift quickly, or do they stay in one state for a while?”

Sleep and energy

• Sleep reduction — “Have you had times when you needed much less sleep but still felt full of energy?”

• Oversleeping — “Do you ever sleep much more than usual during low periods?”

• Energy surges — “Have you had bursts of energy that felt unusual or excessive?”

Thinking patterns

• Racing thoughts — “Do your thoughts ever feel like they’re moving too fast to keep up with?”

• Distractibility — “Do you get distracted easily during certain mood states?”

• Grandiosity — “Have you ever felt unusually confident or believed you could do things others thought were unrealistic?”

Behavior and impulse control

• Risk-taking — “Have you done things during high-energy periods that were risky or out of character?”

• Spending sprees — “Have you ever spent money impulsively in ways you later regretted?”

• Sexual impulsivity — “Have you ever engaged in sexual behavior that felt impulsive or unlike you?”

• Goal-driven activity — “Do you ever start lots of projects at once or feel driven to accomplish things rapidly?”

Depression-specific questions

• Low mood — “Have you had periods of feeling very down, hopeless, or uninterested in things?”

• Anhedonia — “Have you lost interest in activities you usually enjoy?”

• Fatigue — “Do you feel tired or slowed down during these periods?”

• Suicidal thoughts — “Have you ever had thoughts of harming yourself?” (Clinicians ask this to ensure safety, not to judge.)

Functioning and daily life

• School performance — “Have your grades or focus changed during mood episodes?”

• Social changes — “Do you withdraw from friends or become unusually social depending on your mood?”

• Routine disruption — “Do mood changes affect your ability to keep up with responsibilities?”

Family history

• Genetic risk — “Does anyone in your family have bipolar disorder, depression, or other mood conditions?” Family history is one of the strongest predictors.

Substance use

• Substance screening — “Do you use alcohol, cannabis, or other substances?” Not for judgment — but because substances can mimic or worsen symptoms.

Timeline and patterns

• First onset — “When did you first notice mood changes?”

• Episode triggers — “Do certain events or seasons trigger mood shifts?”

• Recovery patterns — “How long does it take you to return to your usual self?”

A non-obvious insight

Clinicians aren’t just listening to the answers — they’re listening for patterns over time. Bipolar disorder is defined by episodic changes in mood, energy, and behavior. Depression alone is more continuous. ADHD is more constant. Trauma responses are tied to events. Bipolar has a rhythm.

These questions help reveal that rhythm.