Think you're depressed? Take the quiz.

[TCapp]

Credit for this guide is given to Archibald Hart, Ph.D. and Catherine Hart Weber, Ph.D. and their book "Unveiling Depression in Women." (Dr. Hart also has a book called "Unmasking Male Depression.")


The following list of symptoms will alert you to the warning signs of depression, and the more of these symptoms you experience, the more severe your depression. They are clustered according to thoughts, moods, behavior, physical functioning, spiritual factors, and social behavior.

Mood/Emotions
_Depressed mood--feelings of helplessness, worthlessness, sadness, irritability, and pessimism for most of the day
_Excessive crying or an inability to cry or express emotions
_Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, inappropriate guilt, or blaming yourself for your problems
_Loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities, including sex
_Unresolved grief issues

Thoughts
_Inability to concentrate, remember things, make decisions, or think clearly, even on routine tasks
_Obsessing over negative experiences or thoughts
_Low self-esteem
_Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death; you may have already made a will and begun thinking about your funeral
_Feeling pessimistic about your life
_Attitude of "what difference does it make?"

Physical functioning
_Appetite disturbance, eating far less or far more than usual
_Sleep disturbances — inability to sleep, tossing and turning, not being able to get back to sleep, sleeping too much, or irregular sleep patterns
_Constant fatigue or loss of energy
_Slow, soft speech
_Chronic aches and pains that don't respond to treatment
_Anxiety or panic attacks
_Unexplained headaches, backaches, abdominal pain, constipation, or general aches and pains

Spiritual factors
_Feeling that God is very distant
_Being angry and disappointed in God
_Having no hope for your future
_Feeling abandoned and forsaken by God
_Feeling a heaviness in your spirit
_Feeling like a cloud of darkness is over you

Behavior factors
_Observable restlessness, irritability, or decreased activities
_Substance abuse such as alcohol or drugs
_Suicide attempts
_Decreased performance at work or school
_Social withdrawal--refusal to go out, to see friends and avoidance of old friends
_Avoidance of situations that could cause responsibility or failure
_Dislike of crowds
_Difficulty getting along with others



Following this post is a depression quiz so you can dig a little deeper.

(perhaps the mods could sticky this thread... if it seems like the thing to do)

 

[TCapp]

There are many standardized tests available. This one is called CES-D from the Center of Epidemiological Studies-Depression. It is widely used and was developed by Lenore Radloff at the Center for Epidemiological Studies of the National Institute of Mental Health.

Depression Quiz
​

To take the quiz, add a point value to each question, according to how you have felt during the past week.

0 Rarely or none of the time (less than one day)
1 Some of the time (one or two days)
2 Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (three or four days)
3 Most or all of the time (five to seven days)

1. I was bothered by things that usually don't bother me.
2. I did not feel like eating; my appetite was poor
3. I felt that I could not shake off the blues even with help from my family and friends.
4. I felt that I was not as good as other people.
5. I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing.
6. I felt depressed.
7. I felt that everything I did was an effort.
8. I felt hopeless about the future.
9. I thought my life had been a failure.
10. I felt fearful.
11. My sleep was restless.
12. I was unhappy.
13. I talked less than usual.
14. I felt lonely.
15. People were unfriendly.
16. I did not enjoy life.
17. I had crying spells.
18. I felt sad.
19. I felt that people disliked me.
20. I could not get "going."

To score the test, simply add up the numbers you attributed to each item. The higher the score, the more likely you are depressed.


0-9: You are probably not depressed.
10-15: You may be mildly depressed.
16-24: You are in the moderately depressed range. Consider getting a professional consultation.
Over 25: You are severely depressed. Seek professional consultation right away.



When taking the quiz, remember that, although it's an accurate tool for determining the symptoms of depression, it's not a definitive diagnosis. Nor does it determine the cause of your depression. It is an example of a standard self-test used to screen for possible depression. Unfortunately, you could have a low score and still be depressed, or a high score and not be clinically depressed.

A more accurate diagnosis of depression depends on other factors, such as how long your symptoms have lasted. If your score is in the moderate to severely depressed range, consider getting an accurate professional diagnosis. If you are interested in taking another test, a confidential screening test for clinical depression is available on-line through The National Mental Health Association. Go to http://www.nhma.orgwww.nmha.org.

In general, an accurate diagnosis of depression requires the following:

• A complete physical examination to rule out the possibilitiy of a physical disorder and the primary cause of depression.
• A complete evaluation by a licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist, psychotherapist, or psychiatrist, who is fully trained in mental health diagnosis and who has sufficient knowledge of medicine to recognize when the symptoms of a mental disorder are due to physical causes and if antidepressant medication is necessary.

 

[TheMainException]

This was a very good idea...

 

[bnkessler]

I'm already diagnosed with depression and I hate it. Blahh. Wont even say how high I score. I hate it though. I deny that I have it all the way. I won't even take my meds. I refuse to.

 

[fallen^sparrow]

I'm looking for the " __ all the above " selection at the bottom ... it seems to be missing... could you edit your post to include it TCapp ? heh

Definately a helpful post TCapp ... nice job, reps for you!

fallen^sparrow

 

[LynneClomina]

There are many standardized tests available. This one is called CES-D from the Center of Epidemiological Studies-Depression. It is widely used and was developed by Lenore Radloff at the Center for Epidemiological Studies of the National Institute of Mental Health.

Depression Quiz
​

To take the quiz, add a point value to each question, according to how you have felt during the past week.

0 Rarely or none of the time (less than one day)
1 Some of the time (one or two days)
2 Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (three or four days)
3 Most or all of the time (five to seven days)

1. I was bothered by things that usually don't bother me.
2. I did not feel like eating; my appetite was poor
3. I felt that I could not shake off the blues even with help from my family and friends.
4. I felt that I was not as good as other people.
5. I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing.
6. I felt depressed.
7. I felt that everything I did was an effort.
8. I felt hopeless about the future.
9. I thought my life had been a failure.
10. I felt fearful.
11. My sleep was restless.
12. I was unhappy.
13. I talked less than usual.
14. I felt lonely.
15. People were unfriendly.
16. I did not enjoy life.
17. I had crying spells.
18. I felt sad.
19. I felt that people disliked me.
20. I could not get "going."

To score the test, simply add up the numbers you attributed to each item. The higher the score, the more likely you are depressed.


0-9: You are probably not depressed.
10-15: You may be mildly depressed.
16-24: You are in the moderately depressed range. Consider getting a professional consultation.
Over 25: You are severely depressed. Seek professional consultation right away.



When taking the quiz, remember that, although it's an accurate tool for determining the symptoms of depression, it's not a definitive diagnosis. Nor does it determine the cause of your depression. It is an example of a standard self-test used to screen for possible depression. Unfortunately, you could have a low score and still be depressed, or a high score and not be clinically depressed.

A more accurate diagnosis of depression depends on other factors, such as how long your symptoms have lasted. If your score is in the moderate to severely depressed range, consider getting an accurate professional diagnosis. If you are interested in taking another test, a confidential screening test for clinical depression is available on-line through The National Mental Health Association. Go to http://www.nhma.orgwww.nmha.org.

In general, an accurate diagnosis of depression requires the following:

• A complete physical examination to rule out the possibilitiy of a physical disorder and the primary cause of depression.
• A complete evaluation by a licensed mental health professional such as a psychologist, psychotherapist, or psychiatrist, who is fully trained in mental health diagnosis and who has sufficient knowledge of medicine to recognize when the symptoms of a mental disorder are due to physical causes and if antidepressant medication is necessary.

i've been wondering if maybe i'm a little depressed again.... i didnt connect too much with the first quiz, but on this one i scored a whopping 38!!!!!!

 

[delicate_flower]

I got a 43... hmm...

 

[LynneClomina]

here is the direct link to the online screening test:

http://www.depression-screening.org/screeningtest/screeningtest.htm

 

[skeetercts]

This quiz is depressing. I got a 58

 

[servant4ever]

This quiz is depressing. I got a 58

I agree, I was close to that. I now know I can at least get close to a 100% on a test...

 

[Risen Tree]

Your screening results are consistent with clinical depression. However, this screening is not a substitute for a complete clinical evaluation. You are advised to see your doctor or a mental health professional for a complete evaluation, as soon as possible.

 

[TCapp]

My intentions were not to depress anyone further. I put it here because some times people can suffer depression a long time and not know because they are not familiar with the symptoms (I know I did). I'm also hoping that people who score high will seek help.

Realize you're not alone.

 

[servant4ever]

Don't worry about it, today has been my down day. I am down like 6 days of the week and really really happy one day, and it was just a down day today...

 

[Cerulean_Butterfly]

I got 98....... .........

-Jo

 

[skeetercts]

I got 98....... .........

-Jo

Wasn't the quiz out of 60?

 

[Cerulean_Butterfly]

LOL whoops... TYPO!! 58.... sorry...

-JO

 

[ninetails390]

Yipes...I got 49!

 

[HoosierCanuck]

I think I was about a 30. I guess I'm feeling worse than I thought. Oh well....

 

[sparrow]

I got 29... That's worse than I thought as I thought I was improving..

And on that other test, it said "Your screening results are consistent with clinical depression. Your answers also show you might be at risk for harming yourself. You are advised to see your doctor or a mental health professional immediately for a complete evaluation — or dial "911" or go immediately to the nearest hospital Emergency Room for an evaluation."

I didn't ever think I was actually depressed. I'm too scared to get help.

 

[Mr.Cheese]

I took the MMPI and my depression was through the roof, among other things. The guy was like, "Eww. Why haven't you killed yourself yet?"