You’re here because you think you might be depressed and want to take a depression test. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn what depression often looks like, and take a depression quiz to get some insights for your specific situation.
Wondering If What You’re Feeling Could Be Depression?
Everyone feels sad sometimes. But if the sadness feels unusually intense or has lasted for an extended period of time, it’s natural to start wondering, “Do I have depression?”
Depression is a common and serious mental health condition that negatively impacts the way a person feels, behaves, thinks and acts. There are varying degrees of depression, usually categorized as mild, moderate and severe. Severity is determined by the number of symptoms experienced daily over the past 2 weeks, their intensity and the resulting functional impairment.
According to the World Health Organization, depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world. It’s estimated that 5.7% of the global adult population experiences depression.
The good news is that while depression may be widespread, treatment is available and highly effective. The right type of therapy and medication for individuals can help reduce, and even stop, depressive symptoms.
Some of the most common symptoms of depression are:
- A constant feeling of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety or emptiness
- Feeling irritable, frustrated or restless
- Losing interest in passions and hobbies
- Self-isolation
- Frequent feelings of wanting to die or hurt yourself
- Feeling guilty or worthless
- Lack of energy and constant fatigue
- Significant changes in appetite
- Significant changes in sleeping patterns
- Difficulties with concentration and memory
- Physical ailments, such as headaches or digestive issues
Why This Quiz Is a Starting Point, Not a Diagnosis
It’s perfectly normal to go through periods where you feel sadder than usual. But there’s a difference between having a low period and struggling with depression.
The difference comes down to the severity of the effects and the timeline. Sadness is temporary, whereas depression lasts a long time. In fact, depression can often worsen if you don’t seek help.
The official definition of depression is when an individual experiences some of the symptoms listed above nearly every day, for a large portion of the day, for at least 2 weeks. Plus, those symptoms have made a noticeable negative impact on the individual’s day-to-day functioning, such as their relationships or performance at work.
The fact that you suspect you’re depressed is already a strong indication that something might be wrong, and it’s smart to trust your instincts.
Taking this depression quiz can be a good way to help you understand your likelihood of having depression. However, this online tool isn’t a diagnosis. Only a mental health professional or a medical professional can determine conclusively if you do or don’t have depression.
View this quiz as an extra layer to your research on depression. No matter what results the quiz produces, you should still talk to a mental health professional. You didn’t land on a page about a depression quiz because everything is going great. Talking to someone can help.
If you’re experiencing thoughts of harming yourself, skip the quiz and seek immediate assistance. You can text or call 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline hotline. Available 24-7, the hotline offers free support to those in need.
The ‘Am I Depressed’ Quiz
Understanding Your Score on the Depression Test: Mild, Moderate or Severe Symptoms
Depression has varying degrees of severity. All categories of depression are mental health conditions and deserve treatment. Receiving a score that says you may have mild depression doesn’t mean you should ignore your feelings.
Here are some takeaways from the results of the quiz:
- Possible mild depression. Even mild depression can be life-changing. Talking to a therapist can help you manage your symptoms.
- Moderate depression. Your symptoms are reducing your quality of life. Explore treatment options so you can get back to living a happy, healthy life.
- Moderately severe depression. Your symptoms are severe enough to negatively impact you daily and be noticed by others. Seek help as soon as possible.
- Severe depression. Your symptoms are extreme, and your depression can become life-threatening. Get immediate, urgent help today.
What to Do If the Results Point Toward Depression
Remember that symptoms of depression often worsen if you don’t seek professional help. Talking to a mental health professional helps you get a diagnosis, understand your condition and learn coping skills for managing symptoms.
Regardless of the quiz results, the next step is to get help. Depression is a serious condition that has the potential to become life-threatening, but it’s also highly treatable.
Taking the Next Step
Asking for help can be intimidating, but it’s the best thing you can do for yourself. When you’ve started treatment and begin to see progress, you’ll be thankful you put yourself first. Even if you’re not ready for one-on-one in-person therapy sessions, you can explore other options, such as calling a hotline, talking to a friend, going to a group therapy session or booking a virtual therapy appointment.
FHE Health Can Help
Don’t allow your depression to steal another day from you. Taking action now means a happier tomorrow.
At FHE Health, we’ve helped hundreds of patients with their mental health conditions. Our treatment programs are customized to meet each patient’s unique needs. Contact us today to learn more.
