Depression Self Test

At any given time, 9.5 percent of the population (i.e. 18.8 million American adults), suffer from depression. Many people with depression do not recognize it and thus do not seek treatment.

What Is Depression?

There are many definitions of depression. One of the shortest and clearest I could find is this: Depression is a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity¹.

Depression Self Test Tool

If you are wondering whether you are suffering from depression, you are welcome to use the self assessment tool below. It is an online version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale (CES-D 10). It is a short version of the 20-item CES-D, and it is provided free to use by the Stanford Patient Education Research Center.

Below is a list of some of the ways you may have felt or behaved. Please indicate how often you have felt this way during the past week:

We encourage you to discuss your results with your doctor, especially if your symptoms are severe enough to have a negative impact on your quality of life, or if you have any suicidal thoughts.

The information you enter in the form below is anonymous and is not stored in any way.

During the past week...

1. I was bothered by things that usually don't bother me.

2. I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing.

3. I felt depressed.

4. I felt that everything I did was an effort.

5. I felt hopeful about the future.

6. I felt fearful.

7. My sleep was restless.

8. I was happy.

9. I felt lonely.

10. I could not "get going".

What are the Symptoms of Depression?

Different people describe their depression-related symptoms differently. Here are a few of the most common ones:

sadness
hopelessness
worthlessness
pessimistic outlook
guilt
difficulty concentrating and making decisions
loss of appetite
weight loss or weight gain
lack of energy or interest
slowing of speech or movement
sense of meaningless
suicidal thoughts

It is this last symptom, suicidality, that makes depression dangerous.

Is Depression The Same in All People?

Not at all. As mentioned above, there are significant differences in the way depression manifests from one person to another. Besides, there are different types of depression, such as major depression, dysthymia, atypical depression, manic depression, etc.².

Dr Gily

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