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:

&bull How sad you are feeling

&bull How you view the future

&bull If you feel like a failure

&bull Your level of satisfaction from activities

&bull If you feel guilty

&bull If you feel deserving of punishment

&bull How disappointed you are in yourself

&bull If you often blame yourself

&bull Whether you have thoughts of suicide

&bull How often you cry

&bull If you feel irritated and annoyed a lot of the time

&bull How much interest you have in other people and social situations

&bull Your ability to make decisions

&bull How you view yourself and your appearance

&bull Your ability to carry out your work

&bull Your sleeping patterns

&bull Your energy levels

&bull Your appetite

&bull Any weight fluctuations

&bull If you are fearful or worry about physical symptoms and health

&bull 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. see More Articles at

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