Depression Tests: A Great Help in Diagnosing Depression Disorders

Depression tests are given by health providers in order to assess the level of depression of the patient. Different Depression Tests vary not only in their set of questions but on their assessment procedures as well.

Depression tests are grouped as self-test questionnaires given by health providers. There are several self tests for determining a person’s level of depression.

• Self-Tests

Zung Depression Scale – This is a 10 minute screening test with 20 questions. This is for people who experienced symptoms in the past 2 weeks. Scoring includes 50-69 common range for depression and 70+ for severe depression.

Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) – This test has a total of 20 questions. It was developed by Lenore S. Radloff for the assessment of depression symptoms for the past week. This also tracks the progress, on a weekly basis, in a short form. Depression is present when there are a 16+ point gained. This is also equivalent to 10+ points in short form of.

Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) – This is for adults. It is screening test with 30 questions and a short form of 15 questions. Scores indicates; 10-19 = for Mild Depression, 20-30 = for Severe Depression. For the Short Form, 4-10 = Mild Depression, 10-14 = Severe Depression.

Some of the detailed self-assessment depression tests are:

1. The National Mental Health Association Depression Screening
2. Mayo Clinic Depression Assessment
3. The Wakefiled Self-Report Questionnaire on Depression

• Free Depression Tests Online

Anxiety and Depression Screening Test – These are screening questions for assessing anxiety disorders as a mental illness.

Goldberg Depression Questionnaire – This is designed by Dr. Ivan Goldberg. It consists of 18 questions. It can be answered with the use of a scale that responds to their feelings. Scoring comparison are: 54+ for Severely Depressed, 36-53 for Moderate to Severe, 22-35 for Mild to Moderate, 18-21 for Borderline Depressed, 10-17 for Possible Mild Depression, 0-9 for Likely Not Depressed.

Wakefield Depression Questionnaire – This is composed of 12 questionnaires which can assess signs of depression at the moment you are answering it. A score of 15+ points needs a care of a mental health professional.

• Tests Given By Health Care/Mental Health Professionals

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) – This is commonly used by health providers. This has about 21 multiple test questions that can assess a patient for the past two weeks who needs further treatment. The higher the score, the more severe the depression is.

The Depression-Arkansas Scale (D-ARK) – This brief instrument developed test is made by Dr. G. Richard Smith. It has 11 questions that can assess disorders for the past 4 weeks. It is categorized by: 0-8 minimal, 9-12 mild, 13-8 moderate and 9+ severe.

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) – This depression screening test has about 10 questions which can assess the last 7 days, for further evaluation. 9+ points indicates a suicidal tendency and 1+ point for further care assessment via health providers.

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) – This has a total of 21 questions that can assess severe symptoms. This is handed by health professionals for proper monitoring. Severe indicates a high score.

Cornell Dysthymia Rating Scale (CDRS) – This test assesses dysthymia symptoms. It has about 20 test questions.

Depression Tests are designed to determine the risk of developing a depressive disorder. The test is a series of questions which concerns the daily habits and mood swings. This can help identify symptoms for more evaluation and can only be done by professionals.

Depression tests are now on the tip of our hands offers instant free results. Aside from this, it can be done with confidential screening nowadays. The National Mental Association even started its web based tests so as to lower the risk of people not seeking help.

Although the disorder is highly treatable, The American Psychiatric Association states that eighty to ninety percent can be treated effectively with the help of depression testing. Once the testing is done, the report and personalized interpretation will pass through medical professionals for proper treatment.

Depression Tests is an early warning signal of the disorder. The best way to help a person is to undergo different tests so as to manage the stage of depression before it becomes full-blown. The type of depression will depend on the treatment given to the patient.

Symptoms of depression include the following:

• loss of activity interest
• sad mood
• changes in body weight and appetite
• less sleep or oversleep
• loss of energy
• agitation
• inappropriate guilt
• concentration difficulty
• suicide attempts
• and a feeling of worthlessness

Other warning signals include low motivation, extended fatigue and chronic frustration.

Depression Tests are not intended as the official diagnosis or a medical treatment substitute. This only serves as the primary route for the recommendation of a patient, especially for future plans of diagnosis and treatments. Treatment would include:

• Antidepressant medications
• Psychotherapy
• Or both

Aside from this, a referral to a good psychologist or psychiatrist would ease these depression problems. Thus, in order to effectively carry out these tests, doctors do a background check on the patient, particularly for past depressive episodes. Observing different situations is also part of the diagnosis. This is where the doctors can identify if the patient is suffering from emotional or physical depression.