Depression Test
What is Depression?
Depression is often thought of as being an extreme state of sadness. The truth is that there is a big difference between clinical depression and just being sad. Sadness is a necessary part of being a human being. It is a reaction to painful circumstances. All humans at one point in their life will experience extreme sadness. Depression is a physical illness that carries many more symptoms than just an unhappy mood. A person that has clinical depression will find that there is often no logical reasoning behind their dark feelings. Sadness is a feeling that passes as a person comes to terms with their troubles. Clinical depression can linger for weeks, months, or even years. A sad person feels bad but continues to cope with living, while a depressed person can feel overwhelmed and hopeless. A depressed person might have a loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities. This mood must represent a change from the person’s normal mood and impairs their functioning in daily life activities.
Depression Test
Here are some questions that are asked on a basic Depression Test.
- Do you feel sad or irritable?
- Have you lost interest in activities once enjoyed?
- Have you experienced changes in weight or appetite?
- Have you experienced changes in sleeping pattern?
- Do you have feelings of guilt?
- Are you unable to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions?
- Have you experienced fatigue or loss of energy?
- Have you experienced restlessness or decreased activity noticed by others?
- Do you feel hopeless, or worthless?
- Have you had thoughts of suicide or death?
If you answered “Yes” to 5 or more of these questions than you may be suffering from clinical depression. This test is obviously not a substitute for a real professionals opinion.
Depression Facts
The age group most likely to experience depression is from 25 to 44. A major cause of depression in women is the inability to express anger. A good self-help technique to relieve depression is exercise, a good night’s sleep, and some form of creative expression. While depressed it is a good idea to avoid major life decisions. The best way to help a depressed friend is by being a good listener. When you are trying to help a depressed friend you should never tell them that they should just snap out of it or over analyze the problem. Mood disorders cost U.S. employers 16 billion dollars in lost work time. Depression is a real illness that affects your body and mind.