A depression test is actually a primary step that will aid in examining as to whether you are depressed and that whether you require further diagnosis and treatment. There are different depression tests and each might have a varied aim like to confirm the depression symptoms by acting as an initial screener, to diagnose clinical depression, to examine the intensity of the symptoms, and to track the progress of the symptoms over a period of time. A
depression test can be taken by yourself on paper or on the Internet or by a health care provider.
Listed below are a few common tests mostly for adults, which aid in examining depression. They are categorized into self-tests, free tests online, and questionnaires designed by the health care providers. However, do not take them as the final answer and go for some treatment on your own. Instead, you can give these tests and take their printout to doctor or psychiatrist.
>> Self-Tests
If you are interested in taking a test by yourself, below are some recommended tests that give your score. You can find these on the Internet too.
• Zung Depression Scale: This offers 20 questions that aids in examining the depressive symptoms lasting since two weeks. It is available in a myriad of different languages and can be completed in 10 minutes. If you score somewhere between 50 and 69, then you are in depression, while above 70 denotes severe depression.
• Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D): Made by Mr. Radloff in 1977, this is also a quiz of 20 questions examining the depressive symptoms for one whole week. It is also used to measure weekly progress for which its short version of 10 questions is available. If your score is 16+, you are in depression. In the latter version, 10+ denotes depression.
• Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): This is a quiz of 30 questions for only older adults. It is available in over 20 languages and there is a shorter version of it offering 15 questions. Score range – 10 to 19 as mild and 20 to 30 as severe; while in shorter one – 4 to 10 as mild and 10 to 14 as severe.
>> Free online tests
If you want some immediate results without any effort in computation, go for the Free Depression Test Online listed below.
• Depression-screening.org: Offers 9 brief questions that assess depressive symptoms from last two weeks. The result denotes the intensity of depression such as mild and severe. This is supported by the Mental Health Association.
• Anxiety and Depression Screening Test:Available on the freedomfromfear.org, this test assesses various types of depression and anxiety issues. This is because depression and anxiety are often seen together. The results identify the types of disorders that you are suffering from.
• Goldberg Depression Questionnaire: This is a quiz with 18 questions that examines the symptoms occurring since the past week. It is utilized to know whether more evaluation and treatment are needed. The test is also used for tracking weekly mood. The score range - 54+ is severe depression, 36 to 53 as moderate, 22 to 35 as mild, 18 to 21 indicates borderline, and 10 to 17 as probably mild. The test is available on the MentalHelp.net.
• Wakefield Depression Questionnaire: This is a depression test of 12 questions assessing your current depressive symptoms. Available on about.com, a score of 15+ denotes further assessment.
>> Tests by health care professionals
Everything else is the same here, except that your questionnaire is made by a health care provider.
• Beck Depression Inventory (BDI): Named after its designer Dr. Aaron Beck, this is a common depression test used by the health care providers. This has 21 multiple-choice questions that conclude the intensity of the symptoms since two weeks and tell whether further examination and treatment are inevitable. It can be given in just 5 minutes. The score range – 0 to 13 as meager, 14 to 19 as mild, 20 to 28 as moderate, and 29 to 63 as severe. The test is meant for the 13 to 80 age group. 25 forms will cost $42, while with the manual, it is $79.
• The Depression-Arkansas Scale (D-ARK): Made by Dr. G. Richard Smith, this test of 11 questions examines major depression and the intensity of the symptoms since last four weeks. You can complete this test in maximum five minutes. Test results can be – 0 to 8 as minimal, 9 to 12 as mild, 13 to 18 as moderate, and 19+ as severe. This one is for free.
• Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS): This is especially for women who have just become mothers. It has 10 questions that examines symptoms since past seven days and tells whether further evaluation is needed. 9+ denotes suicidal thinking. You can download this test for free from http://health.utah.gov/rhp/pdf/EPDS.pdf
