Educational self-screen

Free Psychiatric Screening Tool

When something feels different but you are not sure how to describe it, a brief self-screen can help organize what you have noticed. This free tool asks about patterns commonly associated with depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. It can help you identify concerns to discuss with a qualified clinician and decide whether a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation may be useful.

Answer based on your actual recent experience. Consider how often symptoms occur, how long they have been present, whether they appear in more than one setting, and how much they affect work, school, relationships, sleep, safety, or daily responsibilities.

What This Tool Screens For

Depression

Questions may reflect persistent low mood, loss of interest, changes in sleep or energy, guilt or hopelessness, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts related to death or self-harm.

Anxiety

The tool looks for difficult-to-control worry, fear, tension, restlessness, physical anxiety symptoms, avoidance, and interference with everyday life.

ADHD

The ADHD portion considers attention, organization, time management, impulsivity, restlessness, and completing tasks. Diagnosis also requires developmental history and evidence that symptoms affect functioning in more than one setting.

PTSD

Trauma-related questions consider intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance, feeling on guard, exaggerated startle, sleep disturbance, and changes in mood or thinking after trauma.

Bipolar Disorder

Questions may flag periods of unusually elevated or irritable mood, increased energy, reduced need for sleep, rapid thoughts, impulsive behavior, and depressive episodes. These patterns require careful clinical review.

What This Screening Cannot Tell You

This tool is educational. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation. A high result does not prove that a disorder is present, and a low result does not rule one out. Symptoms can overlap and may also be affected by sleep, stress, trauma, medical conditions, medication effects, or substance use.

Do not start, stop, or change medication based only on a screening result. If symptoms are persistent, worsening, or interfering with daily life, speak with a qualified clinician even if the result seems mild.

Frequently Asked Questions

What conditions does the screening tool cover?

It screens for symptom patterns associated with depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.

Can this screening diagnose a mental health condition?

No. Diagnosis requires a clinical evaluation that considers symptom history, duration, severity, functioning, medical factors, medications, substances, and alternative explanations.

What if my result is low but I am still concerned?

Speak with a qualified clinician. A low result does not rule out a condition, especially when symptoms persist, worsen, or affect daily life.

Should I change medication based on the result?

No. Review concerns with the clinician who prescribes your medication or another qualified health professional.

What should I do if I am in crisis?

Call or text 988. If there is immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.