FIND OUT IF YOU HAVE DEPRESSION

Depression is a persistent mood disorder that affects the way we feel, think, and act. Depression is mainly characterized by profound sadness, lack of motivation, feelings of worthlessness, and loss of interest in pleasurable activities. These are the depression characteristics that this depression quiz tests for.

As you can probably imagine, depression disorders can impact our personal and professional life profoundly, leading to social isolation, relationship issues, and even medical complications. However, with the necessary help and depression treatment, people with depression can live productive healthy lifestyles with a depression diagnosis.

Depression and anxiety have a lot in common, which is why it’s relatively easy – especially for laypeople – to confuse them. Furthermore, depression and anxiety can co-occur, with overlapping symptoms that make it even more difficult for clinicians to separate them. However, this depression quiz tests for the differences.

While depression involves persistent sadness and the tendency to ruminate on past events, anxiety generates restlessness and persistent worrying.

But to understand why depression can have a devastating impact on our everyday life, we need to look at the signs and symptoms of depression.

Depression symptoms can vary in intensity and can include:

• Persistent sadness
• Ruminative thoughts
• Lack of motivation
• Lack of focus
• Physical and mental exhaustion
• Loss of interest in hobbies and pleasurable activities
• A significant decline in work/academic performance
• Difficulty in making decisions
• Feelings of worthlessness and helplessness
• Feelings of guilt and shame
• Suicidal ideation
• Loss of appetite
• Low sex drive
• Insomnia
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Gastrointestinal distress
• Irritability and angry outbursts

Typically, symptoms must last at least two weeks for depression to be diagnosed, so take this into consideration throughout the depression test. Furthermore, medical conditions such as vitamin deficiency can be mistaken for symptoms of depression so it is important to fully consider all possible causes as you take any depression quiz or inventory.

If the results of this depression test seem symptomatic for depression, know that you are not alone: Depression impacts 1 in 15 adults each year. And 1 in 6 people will suffer from depression at some time in their life and there is help out there for those with depression.

When it comes to treatment options, mental health professionals often resort to medication and/or psychotherapy for depression. In fact, studies suggest that a mix of psychiatric interventions and therapy focused on depression, provides the best possible outcome. After this depression quiz, don't be afraid to reach out for the treatment and help you need for depression.

Psychotherapy

In essence, psychotherapy (or ‘talk’ therapy) helps you get to the bottom of the depression symptoms, understand how depression affects your life, and cultivate healthy habits that will keep your depression at bay.

In general, experts believe therapy is an excellent treatment option for mild forms of depression, and most professionals specialize in depression or have experience with people with depression. When it comes to severe clinical depression, healthcare professionals recommend a psychiatric consultation followed by antidepressant medication to tackle the depression.

Aside from individual therapy, patients with depression can benefit greatly from family and couples therapy. There’s also group therapy for depression which brings together people who suffer from the same condition, in this case, depression, creating a community that tests and provides mutual support.

Medication

Since depression disorders are caused in part by chemical imbalances in the brain, the use of psychiatric treatments is sometimes the only way patients can get back on their feet. Depression is treatable with the right care, and a therapist can support you to get the help you need and start feeling more like yourself and less like your depression.