Hypomania Checklist (HCL-32)
32-item self-report screening for hypomanic symptoms
Ever had periods where your energy and mood feel cranked up? Less sleep, more ideas, faster thoughts, unstoppable optimism. The HCL-32 is designed to capture those "high" periods — 32 quick yes/no questions. About 5 minutes.
What Is the Hypomania Checklist?
The HCL-32 comes out of Jules Angst's lab at the University of Zurich (2005). It asks about periods when your energy, activity, and mood were noticeably higher than usual — the kind of "up" periods that can signal a bipolar spectrum condition. 32 yes/no items, about 5 minutes.
What does it measure?
The 32 items cover:
- Increased energy and activity (less sleep needed, more physically active)
- Elevated mood (more optimistic, self-confident, joking)
- Racing thoughts (more ideas, creative, jumping between topics)
- Behavioral changes (more social, spending, risk-taking)
Psychometrics
- Internal consistency: 0.82-0.86
- Test-retest reliability: 0.74-0.76
- Sensitivity 73%, Specificity 61% (cutoff >=14)
A note on interpretation
The HCL-32 is a screening tool. It can help identify people who might benefit from a thorough clinical evaluation, but it does not diagnose bipolar disorder on its own. If you are concerned about your mood swings, talk to a psychiatrist.Disclaimer
This test is for educational purposes only and does not provide medical diagnosis. If you are experiencing emotional distress or have concerns about your mental health, please seek professional help.Scoring Guide
Total 0-32. Each "Yes" = 1 point. Cutoff >=14 suggests possible bipolar spectrum features (sensitivity 73%, specificity 61%). Important: The HCL-32 is a screening tool, not a diagnostic instrument.Result Interpretation
After completing the 32 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed on screen. No account or login needed.