Depression Self-Test

Depression Test: Free

We all might feel a little down from time to time. Whether we’re going through a difficult time at work, have issues with loved ones, or are just physically run-down, most of us feel sad or a little depressed once in a while. It is no fun at all, but it’s also pretty normal. Sadness, even extreme sadness, is a natural reaction to events like these. What is worse, sadness can also turn into depression. If the feelings don’t get better over time, or if your mood starts to get in the way of your daily life, you might be developing depression.

But you can ask yourself: Am I depressed or just sad right now? How do we know if our feelings are a normal emotional reaction to stressful times, or whether we’re suffering from the symptoms of depression?

If you’re worried you might be suffering from depression, it’s important to seek appropriate help.  This quiz will help you to establish whether you’re experiencing some of the tell-tale signs of a mental health condition.

What’s the difference between being depressed or sad?

Depression is about being sad, but it’s more than that. Depression is a mental illness that involves a lot of symptoms, like feeling exhausted all the time, losing interest in activities you normally enjoy or thoughts of death and suicide. Episodes of depression last at least 2 weeks at a time. They can be triggered by a sad event or they can seemingly come out of nowhere.

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MOST COMMON TYPES OF DEPRESSION

Everyone feels sad at times. Sometimes, when people say “I’m depressed,” what they actually mean is that they are feeling sad or blue. There are major differences between feeling sad and having depression.

Major depression disorder (MDD) is one of the most common mental health disorders in the United States. In some cases, MDD can be seriously disabling and interfere with or limit the ability to function in daily life.

Clinical depression is a common, serious mood disorder. It affects how people feel, think, and deal with daily life. Among other symptoms, depression can affect sleep, eating habits, and work-life. Depression is usually diagnosed as clinical depression; these symptoms occur for at least two weeks.

Depression by the Numbers

The 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) looked at people over the age of 18 in the United States who had a major depressive episode. The survey found:

About 17.3 million adults had at least one major depressive episode.

More females experienced a major depressive episode than males.

The age group of individuals age 18 to 25 had the highest reporting of a major depressive episode.

Adults identifying as two races or more reported the highest rates of major depressive episodes.

HOW IS DEPRESSION DIFFERENT FROM BEING SAD?

Sadness

Sadness is a common emotion that is likely experienced by everyone at some point in their lives. Sadness can stem from hurtful situations or difficult experiences. These feelings are the result of an event, or they are triggered by something. Unlike depression, sadness can go away when circumstances change or when adjustments have been made. Usually, when individuals can adjust, recover from loss, or get over disappointment, the sadness fades.

Depression

Depression is a mental health disorder that can affect emotions, behaviors, and interactions. Feeling depressed for more than two weeks is not a normal way of life. Those with depressive symptoms can feel sad about everything. Feeling depressed does not mean one simply cannot handle difficult situations. Most times, depression happens without triggers – it is not necessarily triggered by loss or change.

Internal Struggle

Individuals might look fine to outsiders and be in denial about their own state of health. However, those with depression still struggle internally. Depression affects all parts of life. Everything is less enjoyable and less interesting. Those with depression can feel less important, lovable, and worthwhile. A person with depression sometimes withdraws to minimize the pain that interactions may cause.

Behavior Changes

Depression drains away energy, making the person feel tired all the time. There is a loss of motivation. It might be difficult to experience joy or pleasure. There is little or no excitement or anticipation. It is a struggle to feel satisfied or connected to others. It is not easy to see hope or meaning in life. Negative emotions and reactions are always near the surface. It is much easier to be impatient or to become angry. Frustration and breakdowns happen more easily. It takes longer to recover from anything.

Most people with a form of clinical depression need formal treatment to break the cycle.

Men and Depression

Men and women can experience depression differently. This could be from biological sex differences like hormonal imbalances. Signs of depression in men include:

• Spending lots of time “escaping,” for example, spending many hours at work or playing sports
• Physical signs, such as headaches, stomach aches, or aches and pains with no clear causes
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Controlling, violent, or abusive behavior
• Irritability or quick to anger
• Risky behavior, such as drinking and driving

Risk Factors for Depression

Depression is caused by a mix of heredity, physical, and mental factors. Environment also plays a role. Depression can set in at any age; however, it is most common in adults. Depression looks different in children and teens. Rather than a sad mood, children and teens become highly irritable.

In middle-age and older adults, depression can follow the development of a serious illness. Older people with cancer, diabetes, and heart disease are at risk for depression. If depression came first, it often worsens after sickness. In some cases, medications taken for physical illnesses can have side effects that lead to depression.

Other risk factors include:

• Trauma
• Stress
• History of depression
• Family history of depression
• Major life changes

Rates of Depression

The National Center for Health Statistics published a report about depression among Americans ages 20 and older. Their key findings about the rates of depression included:

• From 2013 to 2016, about 8% of adults reported depressive symptoms that lasted two weeks or longer.
• The lowest rates of depression were found among non-Hispanic Asian adults.
• Depression decreased as family income levels increased.
• Approximately 80% of Americans with depression reported some difficulties with home, work, or social activities due to their depressive symptoms.

Men, Women, and Depression

Women were twice as likely to have depression as men. This ratio was true across all age groups. Postpartum depression carries a significant suicide rate. About 20% of deaths after childbirth deliveries are from maternal suicide due to depression.

Veterans and Depression

As of 2008, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs reports:

• Approximately 1 in 3 veterans visiting medical clinics had some depression symptoms. 1 in 5 veterans had serious symptoms that required more tests for major depression. 1 in 8 veterans had major depression needing psychotherapy or antidepressant treatment.

Children and Depression

It is estimated that approximately 10% to 15% of children and teens are depressed. About 1 in 4 adolescents experience major depression at some point during high school. The average age of a teen experiencing depression is 14 years old.

The consequences of teen depression are serious:

• During an episode of depression, teens are at a greater risk for suicide (their leading cause of death).
• Untreated major depression can lead to serious alcohol or drug addictions.
• Untreated major depression can cause teens to isolate themselves from friends and activities.

While younger children and teens may show the same symptoms as adults due to depression, they may also:

• Show antisocial behavior
• Become clingy
• Have nightmares
• Show boredom

Talk to a doctor if these symptoms:

• Last for more than two months
• Do not respond to efforts to help
• Seem to affect many areas of the child’s life

DIAGNOSING ADULT DEPRESSION

If you or a loved one is feeling depressed for two weeks or more, see your doctor. An evaluation will be done to see if it is depression or possibly something else.

Physical Exam

Doctors may perform a physical exam and ask questions to screen for depression. For some people, depression may be from a health problem.

Lab Tests

Doctors may order a blood test called a complete blood count (CBC) or a thyroid test. Again, the doctor is looking for any physical issues that could lead to depressive symptoms.

Psychiatric Evaluation

Therapists will be brought in to ask about symptoms, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Sometimes a written questionnaire is used to help answer these questions.

Could Depression be Part of Another Mental Health Problem?

Sometimes depression is a symptom of another mental health disorder. It is important to determine whether this is the case, provide an accurate diagnosis, and follow up with the best treatment plan. These mental health disorders can include:

Bipolar Disorders

Mild to severe bipolar mood disorders include high and low mood swings. The low mood swings look like depression. It is often difficult to determine if someone has bipolar disorder or depression.

Premenstrual Disorders

This type of depression is related to hormonal changes in the body. These changes usually begin a week before a woman begins menstruation. Symptoms usually ease with a few days and go away after the completion of the cycle.

Other Depression Disorders

Depression can be caused by using recreational drugs, some prescribed medications, or alcohol.

MAOIs

MAOIs are often prescribed when other drugs have not worked well in relieving depression. They can cause serious side effects. Individuals taking MAOIs must restrict their diets. Certain wines, cheeses, and pickles can trigger dangerous or fatal reactions while on MAOIs. Negative interactions with other medicines and herbal supplements are also a risk. Some examples of MAOIs include:

Parnate

Nardil

Marplan

Emsam – a newer MAOI skin patch that may cause fewer side effects than other MAOIs

Other Medications

Other medications can help an antidepressant work better. Doctors may do one or more of the following:

• Combine two antidepressants
• Add mood-stabilizing drugs
• Add an antipsychotic drug
• Add anti-anxiety medication
• Add stimulant medications

Add-On Antipsychotic Drugs

Doctors may prescribe an atypical antipsychotic. This would be an add-on to make the antidepressant more effective. The FDA has approved these atypical antipsychotics for the add-on treatment of depression:

Abilify

Seroquel XR

Symbyax

Rexulti

How to Find the Right Medication

When trying to find the best medications to treat depression, asking for recommendations from family and friends who have had positive results from an antidepressant might be a helpful place to start. The drug that did well for them may be successful in other cases. Don’t get discouraged if the first drugs do not provide optimal results. Several prescriptions, or a combination of several medications, might need to be tried before results are seen.

Patience is key! Some medications need a few weeks or longer to take full effect. It may also take several weeks for the side effects to wind down as bodies metabolize medications at different speeds. Heredity can play a part in how antidepressants affect the body. Genetic blood or swab tests can help doctors determine how individuals might respond to certain antidepressants. Keep in mind, other factors besides genes can affect responses to medication. This should be discussed with a doctor.

Medication Risks

Withdrawal from Stopping or Reducing Dosages

Antidepressants are not necessarily addictive, but some can cause physical dependence. It is important to talk to a doctor before stopping an antidepressant. Withdrawal symptoms can occur after a change in dosage or stoppage of treatment. Depressive symptoms can also worsen during the withdrawal process. This should be done under a physician’s supervision to minimize risks and complications. Dosage should be reduced gradually and safely.

Pregnancy and Nursing

Women who are breastfeeding should use caution when taking antidepressants. Some antidepressants can cause health risks for nursing children. Doctors should be informed immediately of pregnancy or if a patient is planning to become pregnant.

Suicide Risks and Antidepressants

Most antidepressants are considered safe. Despite this, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires all antidepressants to carry a warning. This warns about increased suicide risks in younger people on antidepressants. In some cases, people below the age of 25 may have increased suicidal thoughts or behaviors when taking antidepressants. People of all ages should watch for worsening depression or unusual behavior. If suicidal thoughts happen, get emergency help or talk to a doctor.

Antidepressants are more likely to reduce the risk of suicide for the long-term by improving mood and stopping depressive symptoms. Like any other drug, doctors and patients must balance the benefits against the risks.

Antidepressant Side Effects and How to Deal With Them

Antidepressants can have side effects. Signs and symptoms such as weight gain, nausea, or trouble sleeping can happen almost immediately. Many people see these side effects improve after a few weeks. For others, antidepressants cause side effects that do not ease. First, individuals should talk to a doctor or mental health professional about any side effects once they appear. Blood tests can help adjust dosages to decrease side effects. If certain side effects are especially difficult to handle, individuals may be tempted to stop taking or reduce the amount of the antidepressant on their own. Either action can cause great harm:

• Depression symptoms may quickly return.
• May have withdrawal-like symptoms.

Doing so in consultation with a doctor is the best option in all cases

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps patients focus on the present. ACT aims to direct thinking away from the past or future. It also helps individuals see and accept negative thoughts and feelings, so they do not get caught up in them. ACT focuses on identifying what is most meaningful and important in their lives. Once this is understood, they can act on it to build a full, rewarding, and rich life.

Problem-Solving Therapy (PST)

PST teaches patients how to cope with daily life stresses and problems. With depression, individuals may feel threatened by daily problems or stresses. They might also believe they cannot solve these problems. A PST therapist helps analyze problems and find solutions that may work. The patient and therapist work together to carry out solutions and evaluate the results.

Short-Term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (STPP)

STPP focuses on relationships, unconscious thoughts, and feelings. STPP aims to reduce symptoms and to make patients vulnerable to depression. It also focuses on making patients stronger.

Family Therapy (FT)

FT is a good option when depression is tied directly to family relationships. FT works on the personal relationships among family members. It also aims to improve communications and end hidden meanings in conversations. FT also examines the parts that family members play regarding depression. Also, education about depression is provided for everyone.

Getting Out in Nature

Getting outdoors can help improve depression symptoms. It can also help with lowering stress levels. Visiting a park, beach, or hiking trail regularly could be effective at reducing stress.

Contact with Animals

Animal contact can help improve moods. Without owning a pet, outdoor animal activities are also an option. Visiting a zoo or petting farm, swimming with dolphins, or animal-assisted therapy could work.

Hospital and Residential Treatment for Depression

For more severe forms of depression, a stay in a treatment center or hospital may be a good choice. These are also good options for those who cannot care for themselves day to day or those feeling suicidal or wanting to harm others.

• Psychiatric treatment at a hospital can help calm patients and keep them safe.

Getting the Most Out of Depression Treatment

For recovery from depression, it is critical to follow the treatment plan. Results may vary in the first few weeks, but that is normal. Sticking with your plan and being patient offers the best chance at success. Treatment should never be stopped without consulting a physician. Open lines of communication are important between patients and their therapists and counselors. You should feel you are able to talk freely. You may have to try a few therapists before finding the best fit.

Remain transparent about what does and does not work throughout the treatment plan. Talking to a therapist about how you feel about therapy sessions, regularly revisiting the overall treatment plan, and allowing changes to be made can help improve overall recovery.

HOW TO PREVENT RELAPSE FROM DEPRESSION

Depression is treatable, but symptoms can return. Research shows that relapse rates for depression for people who have had:

One episode of depression is 50%
Two episodes of depression is 70%
Three or more episodes of depression is 90%

These numbers reinforce why it is so important to have the right relapse plan in place. A depression relapse prevention plan prevents or limits recurrences.

An effective relapse prevention plan has continued treatment for symptoms even after they have gone away. And a list of triggers to identify and avoid.

Most people relapse because they stopped following their treatment plan. It is crucial that patients attend all treatment sessions and take medicines on schedule. They should work on recognize when a depression trigger pops up and avoiding these triggers. If they find themselves dwelling on thoughts and failures, they should immediately stop. Using strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy or other therapies can successfully combat negative thoughts.

Take care of oneself is equally as important. Making sure to get enough sleep, proper nutrition, and adequate exercise can help mental and physical health.

If the early signs of a relapse do not go away, reaching out for help before the episode becomes severe is critical. Individuals should seek help from a healthcare professional right away to get evaluated for a relapse.

MYTHS ABOUT DEPRESSION

Myth #1: You Can Just “Snap Out Of It”

Depression is a medical condition. Just like other illnesses, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, you cannot treat it by telling yourself to “snap out of it.” Depression is not about any one thing for most people. People with depression try to shame or criticize themselves out of it, which can be harmful. Remind yourself that depression is an illness. Work on your treatment plan instead. Be patient!

Myth #2: Ignore Depression And It Will Go Away

Clinical depression does not usually go away on its own. Most people need formal treatment. If you feel depressed for more than two weeks, see a healthcare professional.

Updated 02/15/2022