The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) is a 13-item checklist developed by Robert M.A. Hirschfeld, M.D. The MDQ serves as an effective instrument for screening patients who have a history of a manic episode associated with bipolar disorder.The MDQ addresses:Manic symptoms patients may have had Number of symptoms present at any one time Clinically significant distress/impairment across multiple areas of functioning This brief, easy-to-use screening instrument has been validated as having good sensitivity.