Depression Test: Are You Depressed?

Life is incredibly complex and can be viewed as a continuous series of peaks and valleys.  During some moments, we triumphantly reach a peak and feel as if we are on top of the world.  Then, in the next moment and without warning, we slide off the peak and fall hard into a valley.  Our personalities, coping mechanisms, and life experiences largely determine how far we plummet.  When one becomes too entrenched in a valley and when the peaks are no longer visible, depression can result.  Depression is a mental health condition that can significantly impair a person’s thinking, feeling, and behaving.  Depression is a highly treatable condition but must be detected and diagnosed before it can be treated.  There are a variety of tests and diagnostic tools that can be utilized to assess for clinical depression.

Depression screening tools seek to identify and assess the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms.  Depression is characterized by feelings of sadness, a loss of interest in activities that were once pleasurable, and a persistent lack of motivation.  Depression can negatively impact a person’s health and may cause physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, and other aches and pains. Depression can modify an individual’s eating and sleeping habits and cause irritability, lack of concentration, and restlessness.  People can display diminished energy levels, be easily fatigued, and can present with low self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness.  In severe cases, individuals may experience suicidal or homicidal thoughts to inflict harm on themselves or others.

Depression testing tools appoint subjective behaviors and feelings with objective numerical values.  This is done to improve the accuracy and reliability of depression measurement tools.  Some depression tests are readily available to the public, while others are copyright protected.  Suicide risk must always be evaluated as part of any depression screening tool.

It is recommended that physicians screen their patients for depression during all routine visits.  A physician or medical health practitioner will usually conduct a physical exam and laboratory testing to rule out medical causes for a person’s depressive symptoms.  A doctor or mental health professional will then utilize depression screening tests, including questionnaires and inventories to gain a better understanding of a person’s mood, thoughts, behaviors, and overall functioning.  These screening tests are invaluable, as they assist a practitioner in referral and accurate diagnosis.  Once a diagnosis is obtained, an individualized treatment plan can be developed.

There are several depression screening tools that measure the occurrence and severity of depressive symptoms.  Some of these tools are self-administered and based on a person’s self-report, while others are conducted in interview format by a physician or mental health practitioner.  Self-administered screening tools have become a fast and dependable option as a first-line depression assessment.  These quick screening tools can assist a practitioner to formulate a loose diagnosis and to prompt a more complete assessment.  Tests may be organized in a multiple-choice configuration or can be structured in a survey format.