Depression Test

A Depression Test in a self-assessment format might be a good way to find out if you are experiencing signs of depression. There are online resources for quick and easy self-assessment Depression Tests. The Mayo Clinic has one available at www.mayoclinic.com and WebMD has one at www.webmd.com that are short prescreening tools that are good indicators of whether you should take further tests for depression. The "NYU Department of Psychiatry" also has a short one available at (http://www.med.nyu.edu/psych/screens/depres.html). The National Mental Health Association has a website dedicated to depression screening at (http://www.depression-screening.org/).

All of these depression tests will ask questions regarding your moods, thought, energy, sleeping, eating patterns, concentration, and of course suicidal thoughts. Although these tests are similar and already relatively short, a recent study reported by the British Medical Journal (www.bmj.com) indicated that depression could be recognized by asking only two questions:

  • "In the course of the last month if you have been bothered by feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?"

  • "In the course of the last month if you have been bothered by little interest or pleasure in doing things?"

If a self-assessment test shows signs of depression, it might be a good idea for you to start researching depression and its treatment possibilities and follow up with a visit to a doctor.

Physical tests are also given to further diagnose depression. Many types of medication can cause depression, and the best thing for your depression might be to stop taking your medication and substitute another type if necessary. Of course, don't do this without first consulting with your doctor. A doctor might also do laboratory tests to make sure you aren't suffering from an under active thyroid gland, electrolyte levels, drug or alcohol problems, or anemia. They may also ask you to take a mental health assessment and take more involved tests that can detect and determine the severity of the depression. During the mental assessment the doctor will be evaluating you and your body posture, and will review your medical history, current medications, and standard procedures such as evaluating your senses and reflexes, and a blood or urine sample might be request. Sometimes a CT, MRI or EEG is requested to detect possible nervous system irregularities.

A Depression Test should be taken as soon as any feelings of sadness or despair last more than two weeks. A Depression Test can help you catch your spiral downward before it's too late, and lead you to find the benefits you need to keep your mental health intact.