Hypomania Checklist (HCL-33) Test

In about 7 minutes, it helps reveal past hypomanic episodes that may point to bipolar II behind depression. Quick 33-item screen supports better diagnosis and treatment decisions, reducing missed bipolar patterns.

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Questions: 337 minutes

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

15,096 views

1,524 completions

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Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

18/33

Hypomania Scale (HS)

Measures the presence of past hypomanic symptoms to help screen for possible Bipolar II in people with recurrent depression.

Low likelihood

Elevated likelihood

0 – 16: Low likelihood | 17 – 33: Elevated likelihood

A score of 18 falls in the Elevated likelihood range, indicating more hypomanic features endorsed and an increased likelihood of Bipolar II compared with lower scores.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Depression with mood swings

41%OF USERS

People already diagnosed with depression who notice periodic bursts of energy or unusually good mood and want to check for past hypomanic episodes.

Recurrent depression cases

34%OF USERS

People with repeated depressive episodes or unstable responses to antidepressants who are exploring whether bipolar II could be involved.

Clinician-led screening visits

25%OF USERS

Patients completing a brief questionnaire at a mental health appointment to help their clinician clarify diagnosis and guide treatment decisions.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

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Hypomania Scale (HS)

Average

15.3

Normal range

9.7 — 21

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

Most people experience periods of “highs” and “lows,” accompanied by changes in energy level, activity, and mood. The purpose of this questionnaire is to obtain a detailed description of periods of “high” mood. Please try to recall a period when you were in an “elevated” state. How did you feel at that time? Please answer the questions regardless of how you feel now.

- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No
- Yes
- No

These are 3 of the 33 real questions — the rest appear in the test. No sign-up needed to start.

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WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Hypomania Checklist (HCL-33) Test - Symptoms and Signs

bipolar disorder

depression

hypomania

psychopathology

This checklist is a brief self-report measure designed to screen for a lifetime history of hypomanic symptoms in individuals presenting with depressive symptoms. The Hypomania Checklist (HCL-33) is commonly used to support differential consideration of bipolar spectrum conditions, particularly bipolar II disorder, when recurrent depression or mood variability is reported.

It consists of 33 items and typically takes about 7 minutes to complete. Items assess characteristic changes in mood, energy, activity, and related behaviors during periods of elevated or increased activation, with results intended to inform clinical interview and diagnostic formulation rather than serve as a standalone diagnosis.

The Hypomania Checklist (HCL-33) was developed by J. Angst and H. S. Akiskal. In clinical settings, it may be used to guide follow-up questions about past hypomanic episodes and to help clarify treatment planning when hypomania may not have been previously recognized.

Author: H. S. Akiskal, J. Angst

Literature: Angst, J., Adolfsson, R., Benazzi, F., Gamma, A., Hantouche, E., Meyer, T. D., Skeppar, P., Vieta, E., & Scott, J. The Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32): A self-assessment tool for hypomanic symptoms in outpatients. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2005.; Hirschfeld, R. M. A., Williams, J. B. W., Spitzer, R. L., Calabrese, J. R., Flynn, L., Keck, P. E., Lewis, L., McElroy, S. L., Post, R. M., Rapport, D. J., Russell, J. M., Sachs, G. S., & Zajecka, J. Development and validation of a screening instrument for bipolar spectrum disorder: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2000.; Forty, L., Smith, D., Jones, L., Jones, I., Caesar, S., Fraser, C., Gordon-Smith, K., & Craddock, N. Identifying hypomanic features in major depressive disorder using the hypomania checklist (HCL-32). Journal of Affective Disorders. 2009.; Feng, Y., Xiang, Y.-T., Huang, W., Wang, G., Feng, L., Tian, T.-F., Geng, Y., Ungvari, G. S., Chiu, H. F. K., Tse, A. W. Y., & Angst, J. The 33-item Hypomania Checklist (HCL-33): A new self-completed screening instrument for bipolar disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2016.