MoodChange.info. Self-Assessment of Mood Changes

Self-Assessment

The Mood Change Questionnaire (MCQ) assesses 9 dimensions of mood that correspond to the Criteria A symptoms of Major Depressive Episode identified by the American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fourth Edition, Text Revision. Washington, DC, American Psychiatric association, 2000. These are shown below in the format of the MCQ profile Chart.

The MCQ also assesses a number of physical health symptoms commonly associated with mood disorders (eg headaches) and the client's experience of critical life incidents that often produce mood change (eg bereavement).

The MCQ provides an overall assessment of mood change based on the client's total score on the 9 mood dimensions. The information provided by the questionnaire is not a substitute for a proper and correct diagnosis and should not be regarded as providing medical advice or suggested treatment which can only be decided by a health care professional.

Lower

Average

Higher

Criterion

A1 Sadness: Feels unhappy, down in the dumps, liable to burst into tears.

A2 Apathy: Finds life meaningless, hard to enjoy, feels emotionally numb.

A3 Hunger: Experiences weight change, eats too much or too little.

A4 Sleep: Difficulty sleeping, wakes up during night, feels tired in morning.

A5 Nerves: Agitated, nervous in social situations, unable to sit still.

A6 Fatigue: Feels exhausted, washed out, even simple things require effort.

A7 Self-Esteem: Lacks confidence, feels guilty, blames self for problems.

A8 Memory: Unable to think straight, has difficulty concentrating, is distracted.

A9 Despair: In the depths of despair, feels like giving up, has suicidal thoughts.

B Healthiness: Stomach upsets, dizzy spells, migraines, panic attacks.

C Stressors: Has experienced significant life stressors in last two years.

D Mood Indicator. Symptoms of depressed mood and loss of enjoyment and interest.