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Depression
Test
By Dave Mcevoy
Many people who are
suffering from depression may not even be aware of it. The
chances are that if you have been feeling sad or unhappy
for more than just a couple of weeks and have lost interest
in most of the activities you used to enjoy to the extent
that your daily routines are now being affected, then you
could be suffering from some form of depression.
There are many symptoms associated with depression and not
everyone will experience the same ones nor with the same
degree of intensity. Consequently, diagnosing and treating
depression can be problematic as it is important to rule
out other possible causes of the symptoms such as an underlying
medical condition, substance abuse, or normal responses
to say, bereavement, that of course will result in feelings
of sadness and despondency but which are not considered
true depression.
One way of finding out if you could be suffering from depression
is to take a depression test. Depression tests are often
used by health professionals in the first instance to assess
whether depression is indicated, and if so, how severe the
depression might be.
There are many tests available but one of the most popular
is the Goldberg test.
The Goldberg Test
This test was designed by Dr Ivan Goldberg and consists
of 18 questions, each of which are answered by the individual
using a sliding scale of responses based on how they have
felt during the previous week. Once all the questions are
answered, the scores (in brackets) are added up to give
a final score and an indication of whether depression is
likely. This test can also be useful to check periodically
to see if the symptoms of depression are improving or getting
worse as any change of 5 points or more in either direction
is considered to be significant.
Sliding scale of responses
Not at all (0)
A little (1)
Somewhat (2)
Moderately (3)
Quite a lot (4)
Very much (5)
Questions
1 I do things slowly
2 My future appears hopeless
3 It is hard for me to concentrate on reading
4 The pleasure and fun has gone out of my life
5 I find it hard to make decisions
6 I have lost interest in things that used to be important
to me
7 I feel unhappy, depressed and sad
8 I feel agitated and unable to relax
9 I feel tired
10 It takes a lot of effort for me to do simple things
11 I feel guilty and I deserve to be punished
12 I feel like a failure
13 I feel numb and lifeless, more dead than alive
14 My sleep is disturbed; I’m sleeping too much or
too little
15 I spend time thinking HOW I can commit suicide
16 I feel trapped or confined
17 I feel depressed even when good things happen to me
18 I have lost weight or put it on without being on a diet
Scoring
If your score was less than 9 then depression is not indicated.
Between 10 and 17 – possibly
some minor depression
Between 18 and 21 – maybe on the verge of depression
Between 22 and 35 – minor to moderate depression indicated
Between 36 and 53 – moderate to severe depression possible
Over 54 – possibly suffering from severe depression
The Beck Depression Inventory Test
Another popular test is the Beck Depression Inventory test
often used by mental health professionals. This test is
based on 21 self-reported questions that correspond closely
to the symptoms of depression as outlined in the Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition.
Each response is based on how the individual has felt over
the previous two weeks. All of the responses to the questions
are identified by a score of 0, 1, 2 or 3, which are then
added together at the end to give a final score.
The answers to the questions are intended to give an indication
of how a person views how they are functioning psychologically
and physically, and how they appear to be coping on a daily
basis. For example, responses will give an idea of:
• How sad you are feeling
• How you view the future
• If you feel like a failure
• Your level of satisfaction from activities
• If you feel guilty
• If you feel deserving of punishment
• How disappointed you are in yourself
• If you often blame yourself
• Whether you have thoughts of suicide
• How often you cry
• If you feel irritated and annoyed a lot of the time
• How much interest you have in other people and social
situations
• Your ability to make decisions
• How you view yourself and your appearance
• Your ability to carry out your work
• Your sleeping patterns
• Your energy levels
• Your appetite
• Any weight fluctuations
• If you are fearful or worry about physical symptoms
and health
• If you have lost interest in sex
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that no test, no matter
how good it is, can give you a reliable diagnosis. If you
think you or someone close to you are experiencing symptoms
of depression then you should seek professional advice either
from a GP or other health professional for an accurate diagnosis
and appropriate help. Your GP will be able to discuss symptoms
with you in much more detail and will be able to identify
other factors that might be influencing how you are feeling.
Once an accurate diagnosis is made then treatment options
can be discussed that will help get you back to how you
used to be.
About The Author: Depression and anxiety are serious
conditions that can strike anyone at anytime. For more information
about depression and selp help come and visit http://www.fightingdepression.co.uk
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