Bipolar Test by Inquiry Health LLC is a specialized mobile application designed to provide users with a preliminary self-assessment tool for bipolar disorder. The app's core purpose is to offer an accessible, private, and immediate way for individuals to explore their mental health patterns and gain insights that may indicate the need for professional consultation. It functions primarily as an educational and screening instrument, not a diagnostic tool.

The target user group is broad, encompassing anyone who has concerns about experiencing significant mood swings, periods of high energy and low depression, or who simply wants to better understand their emotional cycles. It is designed to solve the problem of initial hesitation and lack of access to mental health resources by providing a confidential first step. For individuals unsure whether their experiences align with bipolar spectrum conditions, this app can help articulate concerns and provide a structured framework for reflection before approaching a healthcare provider.

The core feature—the assessment itself—works efficiently. The questionnaire is straightforward, covering key areas like mood elevation, energy levels, sleep patterns, and impulsivity. The additional features, such as tracking mood over time and saving assessment history, add significant value. They transform a one-time test into a tool for monitoring patterns, which is crucial for conditions characterized by cyclical changes. In my usage, the app helped me identify a pattern of productivity bursts followed by periods of low motivation that I had previously dismissed as mere stress. It provided a vocabulary and a structure that made discussing these observations with my therapist much more focused and productive.

I would recommend this app to individuals who are curious or concerned about extreme shifts in their mood and energy, especially if these shifts impact their work, relationships, or daily functioning. It is most useful as a preparatory tool for a clinical conversation, a way to log symptoms for personal awareness, or for those supporting a loved one and seeking to understand common indicators. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis but serves as a valuable bridge to seeking appropriate care.

• 🔍 Comprehensive Screening Questionnaire: The app features a well-structured assessment based on recognized screening criteria for bipolar disorder. It asks targeted questions about manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes, helping users evaluate a range of symptoms over a specified period. The language is clear and avoids overly clinical jargon, making the self-evaluation process more approachable.
• 📈 Mood and Symptom Tracking: Beyond the initial test, the application allows users to log their daily mood and specific symptoms. This longitudinal tracking feature is invaluable for spotting trends and cycles that a single snapshot assessment might miss. Visualizing these entries on a simple chart can provide powerful personal insights into the frequency and intensity of mood fluctuations.
• 📚 Educational Resources and Results Explanation: After completing the assessment, the app provides a detailed breakdown of the results. It doesn't just give a score; it explains what different ranges might indicate, emphasizes the limitations of a self-screening tool, and strongly encourages consulting a mental health professional for a formal evaluation. This responsible approach adds educational depth.
• 🔒 Privacy-Focused Data Management: Understanding the sensitivity of mental health data, the app emphasizes user privacy. Assessment history and tracking logs are stored locally on the device by default. This design choice gives users control over their information and reduces concerns about data security, making it a safer space for honest self-reflection.

• 👍 Accessible and Low-Stakes Entry Point: It brilliantly lowers the barrier to addressing mental health concerns by providing a private, immediate tool for initial exploration, which can reduce the anxiety associated with scheduling a first doctor's appointment.
• 👍 Promotes Proactive Health Awareness: By facilitating symptom tracking and education, the app empowers users to become more observant and informed about their own mental state, fostering a proactive rather than reactive approach to well-being.
• 👍 Clear Communication of Limitations: The app consistently reminds users it is not a diagnostic tool, which is ethically responsible and helps manage expectations, preventing potential self-misdiagnosis.

• 👎 Limited Customization in Tracking: The mood and symptom tracking, while useful, can feel somewhat basic. Users cannot fully customize the tracked parameters or add personal notes in a rich-text format, which may limit its utility for detailed personal journaling.
• 👎 Lacks Direct Integration with Care: There is no functionality to easily export or share tracking logs and assessment results with a healthcare provider in a standardized report format. This creates an extra step for users who wish to use the data clinically.
• 👎 Potential for Over-Reliance: There is a risk that some users might treat the app's screening result as a definitive answer, despite the disclaimers. The interface could potentially do more to guide users toward actionable next steps, such as providing links to verified therapist directories or crisis resources.