Bipolar Disorder in Children/Youth

This survey is a screening tool designed to detect children/youth who may possibly have symptoms of mania/hypomania. It is NOT a diagnostic scale, i.e. it is not designed to be able to diagnose bipolar disorder. Diagnosing bipolar disorder requires a thorough evaluation by an experienced mental health professional.

This scale is the Parent Young Mania Scale (P-YMRS) and is meant to be filled out by parents. Special thanks to Dr’s Barbara Gracious and Eric Young for permission to use this scale.

Instructions to Parent

Please read each question below and circle the answer which best describes your child:

Mood - Is your child's mood higher (better) than usual?

No (0.0)

Mildly or possibly increased (1.0)

Definite elevation- more optimistic, self-confident; cheerful; appropriate to their conversation (2.0)

Elevated but inappropriate to content; joking, mildly silly (3.0)

Euphoric; inappropriate laughter; singing/making noises; very silly (4.0)

Motor Activity/Energy - Does your child's energy level or motor activity appear to be greater than usual?

No (0.0)

Mildly or possibly increased (1.0)

More animated; increased gesturing (2.0)

Energy is excessive; hyperactive at times; restless but can be calmed (3.0)

Very excited; continuous hyperactivity; cannot be calmed (4.0)

Sexual Interest - Is your child showing more than usual interest in sexual matters?

No (0.0)

Mildly or possibly increased (1.0)

Definite increase when the topic arises (2.0)

Talks spontaneously about sexual matters; gives more detail than usual; more interested in girls/boys than usual (3.0)

Has shown open sexual behavior- touching others or self inappropriately (4.0)

Sleep - Has your child's sleep decreased lately?

No (0.0)

Sleeping less than normal amount by up to one hour (1.0)

Sleeping less than normal amount by more than one hour (2.0)

Need for sleep appears decreased; less than four hours (3.0)

Denies need for sleep; has stayed up one night or more (4.0)

Irritability - Has your child appeared irritable?

No more than usual (0.0)

More grouchy or crabby (2.0)

Irritable several times throughout the day; recent episodes of anger with family, at school, or with friends (4.0)

Frequently irritable to the point of being rude or withdrawn (6.0)

Hostile and uncooperative about all the time (8.0)

Speech (rate and amount) - Is your child talking more quickly or more than usual?

No change (0.0)

Seems more talkative (2.0)

Talking faster or more to say at times (4.0)

Talking more or faster to point he/she is difficult to interrupt (6.0)

Continuous speech; unable to interrupt (8.0)

Thoughts - Has your child shown changes in his/her thought patterns?

No (0.0)

Thinking faster; some decrease in concentration; talking "around the issue" (1.0)

Distractible; loses track of the point; changes topics frequently; thoughts racing (2.0)

Difficult to follow; goes from one idea to the next; topics do not relate; makes rhymes or repeats words (3.0)

Not understandable; he/she doesn't seem to make any sense (4.0)

Content - Is your child talking about different things than usual?

No (0.0)

He/she has new interests and is making more plans (2.0)

Making special projects; more religious or interested in God (4.0)

Thinks more of him/herself; believes he/she has special powers; believes he/she is receiving special messages (6.0)

Is hearing unreal noises/voices; detects odors no one else smells; feels unusual sensations; has unreal beliefs (8.0)

Disruptive-Aggressive Behavior - Has your child been more disruptive or aggressive?

No; he/she is cooperative (0.0)

Sarcastic; loud; defensive (2.0)

More demanding; making threats (4.0)

Has threatened a family member or teacher; shouting; knocking over possessions/ furniture or hitting a wall (6.0)

Has attacked family member, teacher, or peer; destroyed property; cannot be spoken to without violence (8.0)

10.

Appearance - Has your child's interest in his/her appearance changed recently?

No (0.0)

A little less or more interest in grooming than usual (1.0)

Doesn't care about washing or changing clothes, or is changing clothes more than three time a day (2.0)

Very messy; needs to be supervised to finish dressing; applying makeup in overly done or poor fashion (3.0)

Refuses to dress appropriately; wearing bizarre styles (4.0)

11.

Insight - Does your child think he/she needs help at this time?

Yes; admits difficulties and wants treatment (0.0)

Believes there might be something wrong (1.0)

Admits to change in behavior but denies he/she needs help (2.0)

Admits behavior might have changed but denies need for help (3.0)

Denies there have been any changes in his/her behavior/thinking (4.0)