Feeling down or overwhelmed at work or around others? You might be considering taking a depression test. If you often feel hopeless, lack energy, or struggle to concentrate, it’s essential to take reasonable precautions and learn about self-assessment for depression. With guidance from professionals, you can assess your mental health before considering therapy. Let’s delve into the common symptoms of depression as outlined by the National Institute of Mental Health.
What are the emotional signs to consider for a depression test?
Persistent sadness or low doom
Persistent sadness or a low mood is one of the hallmark symptoms of depression and a significant indicator of mental health issues. It can be spotted by reoccurring unhealthy thinking patterns, such as excessive rumination or catastrophizing, which can sustain feelings of sadness. Also, keep in mind, that past trauma or ongoing stress can have a profound impact on mental health, leading to chronic low mood. In some cases, persistent sadness is a key symptom of major depressive disorder (MDD). If this sadness lasts for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, it may indicate depression, and taking a depression test can be a helpful step in understanding your emotional state.
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
All-or-nothing thinking provokes anxiety and is often mentioned by those who are trying to manage depression. Viewing situations in black-and-white terms, without recognizing any middle ground or achievements of any kind yet the superior ones. Depression can significantly lower self-esteem, making you feel inadequate, unworthy, or inferior. This can stem from past experiences, such as criticism, bullying, or failure. Remember that constantly aiming for the best result can signify perfectionism. When you struggle with perfectionistic tendencies, you are more likely to experience excessive guilt and worthlessness when you fail to meet your high standards. Depression can exacerbate these tendencies, leading to harsher self-criticism.
What are the physical signs to consider for a depression test?
Significant weight loss or gain
When you struggle with depression, you may engage in emotional eating, consuming food as a way to cope with negative emotions. This can lead to weight gain, especially if high-calorie, sugary, or fatty foods are preferred. Conversely, depression can lead to a loss of appetite and disinterest in food, resulting in significant weight loss. This may be due to a general lack of pleasure in eating or physical symptoms such as nausea.
Insomnia or excessive sleeping
Insomnia or excessive sleeping, also known as hypersomnia, are common symptoms associated with depression. Rumination and anxiety, common symptoms of depression, can lead to excessive worrying and negative thinking, common in depression, can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, contributing to insomnia. Emotional exhaustion can also be one of the causes, the emotional toll of depression can lead to fatigue and an increased need for sleep, resulting in hypersomnia.
What are the cognitive signs to consider for a depression test?
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Persistent sadness can impair concentration, decision-making, and memory, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks and responsibilities, such as meeting deadlines, managing finances, household chores, or personal care. These tasks can become overwhelming and lead to procrastination or neglect. Apart from that, overgeneralization or making broad, negative conclusions based on a single event usually in a negative way as following negative thinking patterns becomes a habit at a certain point. This can be either followed or accompanied by magnification, exaggerating the significance of mistakes or flaws.
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Intense emotional pain and a sense of despair or feeling trapped in an intolerable situation can drive you toward thoughts of death as an escape. The presence of other mental health conditions, such as anxiety, substance abuse, or borderline personality disorder, can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts. Chronic illnesses and severe physical health problems as well as a family history of suicide or mental illness can elevate the risk, as it may indicate a genetic or environmental predisposition.
How does depression impact your daily life?
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Chronic low mood can affect various aspects of life, including work performance, relationships, and the ability to engage in daily activities and hobbies. Loss of curiosity and enthusiasm for learning new things or engaging in mentally stimulating activities. Reading, problem-solving, and other intellectual pursuits may no longer seem appealing. You may also mention reduced pleasure in physical sensations and activities. This can include a lack of interest in exercise, hobbies, sexual activities, and even basic self-care routines.
Fatigue or loss of energy
Among the most common symptoms of depression fatigue and loss of energy can be named. The persistent negative emotions and stress associated with depression can deplete emotional and psychological energy, leading to profound fatigue. Lack of motivation usually follows as depression often diminishes interest and motivation, making it difficult to engage in activities, which can further contribute to a sense of lethargy.
When to take a depression test
Recognizing the right time to take a depression test is crucial for early intervention and effective management of the condition. Consider taking a depression test if you experience persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, or significant changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels. Additionally, if you find it challenging to concentrate, and make decisions, or if feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness are interfering with your daily life, a depression test can be an essential step toward understanding your mental health.
It’s also advisable to take a depression test if these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, or if they are impacting your ability to function at work, school, or in social situations. If you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seek immediate professional help. Remember, taking a depression test is a proactive measure that can lead to timely support and treatment, fostering better mental health and well-being.
The depression test (PHQ-9 patient depression questionnaire)
We would like to offer you an easy self-assessment test. Ensure you are in a comfortable and quiet environment where you can focus without distractions. Respond to each question truthfully based on your recent experiences and feelings. The accuracy of your responses will determine the effectiveness of the assessment.
If you can relate to a question, write the number you feel is most accurate. At the end of the quiz, add up the total.
No – 0 Sometimes – 1 Often – 2 Almost Always – 3
- Do I have little interest or pleasure in doing things?
- Do I feel down, depressed, or hopeless?
- Do I have trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much?
- Do I feel tired or have little energy?
- Do I have a poor appetite, or am I overeating?
- Do I feel bad about myself or that I am a failure or have let myself or my family down?
- Am I having trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television?
- Am I moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed? Or the opposite- being so fidgety or restless that I have been moving around a lot more than usual?
- Am I having thoughts that I would be better off dead, or of hurting myself?
Total:
* If you scored a 2 or 3 for at least 4 of the above questions, you may have a depressive disorder. It’s important to take this seriously and seek professional help. Contact Makin Wellness to speak with a therapist who can provide the support and treatment you need. Early intervention can make a significant difference, so don’t hesitate to reach out. You don’t have to face this alone—help is available.
Reference: med.stanford.edu
Conclusion
Taking a depression test is a proactive step toward understanding and managing your mental health. If the results indicate that you may have a depressive disorder, it’s crucial to seek professional support. Contact Makin Wellness to speak with a therapist who can guide you through the next steps and provide personalized care.
Remember, acknowledging your feelings and seeking help is a sign of strength. You deserve to feel better, and there are resources available to support you on your mental health journey. Online therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can be effective.
Reach out to Makin Wellness today to start online depression therapy and get the support you need. No two people experience depression in the same way. Understanding common symptoms can help you identify when you may need help.
