Depression Test

Category: Depression Online Therapy | Last updated: October 11th, 2018 | Reviewed and approved by:
Dr. Steven Gans, MD
Dr. Elizabeth Lombardo, PhD

Signs and symptoms of depression

Common symptoms of depression are feelings of sadness and hopelessness and/or an inability to derive pleasure from even things that used to bring you pleasure. You may also feel empty or discouraged. The symptoms of depression are often subtle at first. Symptoms of depression can be varied. And many people who have depression don’t even realize they are suffering from depression. A list of common depression symptoms is presented below:

Changes in your feelings:

Depression is a mood disorder that affects the way you feel about your life. It often creates feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and worthlessness. When you are depressed, it is common to keep telling yourself negative things like "It's never ever going to get better", "There is nothing that I can do to improve my situation", "I am worthless", etc. You may even have recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.

Loss of interest in your daily activities:

When you are depressed, the things that normally would give you joy and pleasure no longer do so. If you feel that you no longer enjoy your hobby, sport, hanging out with your friends and family or have a decreased sex drive – and even try to avoid these situations as much as possible – it is very likely that you are depressed.

Changes in your appetite or weight:

Depression affects people in different ways, when it comes to appetite and weight. Some people comfort themselves with food and others can't even bear the thought of food. An important factor when it comes to linking weight changes and depression, is whether or not the change has been intentional. If you did not intend to lose (or gain) weight that is a strong sign something is very wrong with your mind and body.

Feeling tired and experience loss of energy:

When you are depressed, it is very common that you constantly feel tired. It can even be described as walking around all day feeling like a zombie, with your mind and body feeling physically drained. Being tired all the time, of course, hinders your daily activities. Instead of doing your hobbies and sports, you just want to curl up on your couch and pull your blanket over your head. Small day-to-day tasks like cooking food, getting dressed and going out for a walk with the dog, seem to require a lot of effort and you do anything to avoid these tasks.

Changes in your sleep pattern:

Depression almost always affects your sleep. Either you sleep too little (insomnia in the worst cases) or too much (hypersomnia in the worst cases). You may find it impossible to sleep and/or wake up 2-3 hours before you need to get up. Your mind may spin with negative thoughts making it impossible for you to go to sleep/go back to sleep. When depressed - even if you do get your 7-9 hours of sleep - it is also common to wake up extremely tired. It almost feels like you didn't sleep at all and you are just as tired as you were when you went to bed, even if you slept the necessary number of hours.

Feeling more irritable than usual:

Your tolerance level is lower than usual and your temper is short. This makes you feel that everything and everyone is getting on your nerves. You might be able to keep up your facade at work, but once you get home you snap at your family and friends. Sometimes you feel guilty afterwards, while other times you are too numb to even care.

Feeling anxious and nervous:

When you are depressed, being anxious and nervous is also very normal. Anxiety produces several physical symptoms like headaches, pain in the jaw (due to clenching your jaws during the day), chest pain, stomach pain and indigestion. Just receiving an email or hearing the phone ringing at work, can evoke these physical symptoms.

Having unexplained physical problems:

Your increase in physical problems, such as headaches, back pain, aching muscles and stomach pain, can be painful signs of depression. The more physical symptoms you have, without any clear reasons, the more likely is it that you are suffering from depression.

Having uncontrollable mood swings:

Depression can have an uncontrollable effect on your mood. Your emotions are up and down like you have never experienced before. One minute you are angry and the next minute you are crying. You may be tearful much more easily, crying in situations where you normally would not do so.

Further reading: Overcome your depression with online therapy.

If you suffer from any of the symptoms described above, we recommend that you take this test. Evaluate the statements and select the option that you feel best reflects the way you have felt for the past two weeks. The test is, of course, anonymous and free (see our privacy policy).

This depression test is not to be seen as a final diagnosis. If you are uncertain about your result, we suggest that you get professional help as soon as possible.

True
Partly true
Not true
1. I have feelings of hopelessness, thinking that my situation will never change.
2. I have lost interest in most of the things and activities that I used to enjoy.
3. I have difficulty falling asleep at night.
4. I have lost or gained 5 to 10 percent of my original body weight in a month, without trying.
5. I experience an unusual lack of energy, even after a good rest.
6. I feel restless or agitated.
7. I "put on a happy face" to hide my true feelings.
8. I try to avoid dealing with other people.
9. I am often so tired that I cannot carry on with my usual activities.
10. I have physical problems like back pain, stomach problems, headaches etc., that are not due to a known illness.
11. I experience changes in my sleeping patterns (sleeping too much or too little).
12. I find it hard to think clearly and concentrate. My mind feels heavy and clouded.
13. I have mood swings that I never had before. One minute I am crying and the next minute I feel angry.
Generating result...