Depression Quiz [Archive] - QLC Message Boards

paiger81

10-20-2005, 03:41 PM

In light of the thread where people mentioned not knowing if being depressed meant they really had depression, I found a quick quiz for people to take, if you think you may be clinically depressed.

http://www.abc.net.au/cgi-bin/common/quiz/scaletally.pl?presname=health/depression

This is also one from Webmd.com

http://www.lexapro.com/english/understanding_depression/screener.aspx??PlacementGUID=778D8E81-194D-4999-A49B-48BD763070A9

Kitty

10-20-2005, 03:51 PM

Damn..I'm moderately deprsessed according to the first one.

I never really know how to answer those questions.

Bugsey34

10-20-2005, 03:54 PM

Holy crap. According to this I am about to jump off a cliff. :eek:

biodork

10-20-2005, 03:56 PM

Here is something else that might help, I was given one of these at my GYN to track my moods. You'd have to be intent on sticking to it for a month, but it can help track how you are feeling over that month:

http://www.psycheducation.org/PCP/handouts/Mood_Chart.doc

wordsmith

10-20-2005, 03:57 PM

Both of those come up as "moderate."

What always gets me is all the questions about how you view yourself. I view myself fine and am not down on myself. What gets me is a sense of frustration and hopelessness at the realization that others aren't recognizing or liking what I see as the good and valuable in me. If anything depresses me, it's that.

biodork

10-20-2005, 03:59 PM

That one I just posted might be for bi-polar, but you can always change it cuz i think it's in word.

paiger81

10-20-2005, 04:11 PM

I think everyone feels that they are fine, but with any mental disorder, they really aren't. They just don't want/know how to admit that to themselves.

biodork

10-20-2005, 04:12 PM

I know I had a hard time starting therapy because I thought my problems weren't bad compared to other people. But they were bad for me, and that's what mattered the most.

I mean there is that study that says a big majority of people are depressed and either don't know it or don't seek any help for it. That really doesn't surprise me.

coll214

10-20-2005, 04:15 PM

Well according to both of those i'm moderate and highly likely depressed. Pretty much goes w/ what my therapist has said...

bio- I just thought my problems were too WEIRD and embarassing to talk to someone about but I guess they hear everything...

paiger81

10-20-2005, 04:17 PM

I just thought my problems were too WEIRD and embarassing to talk to someone about but I guess they hear everything...

That is really true. I made a comment like that to my shrink, and he was like "Oh, no, you are easy as pie compared to others". That was an exciting day, it's like "Yea! I'm not as crazy as I thought!"

coll214

10-20-2005, 04:20 PM

That is really true. I made a comment like that to my shrink, and he was like "Oh, no, you are easy as pie compared to others". That was an exciting day, it's like "Yea! I'm not as crazy as I thought!"
LOL. i said the same thing to mine and got the same response :)

tina1979

10-20-2005, 04:32 PM

i got a moderate to high on them. the first I got a 30 the second one I got an 11

LakeJay

10-20-2005, 04:37 PM

I think everyone feels that they are fine, but with any mental disorder, they really aren't. They just don't want/know how to admit that to themselves.

I understand what you're saying but then how do you know if you're being truthful to yourself or not? And for that matter, whether you're actually fine or not?

biodork

10-20-2005, 04:43 PM

If you feel like something is wrong, then there is probably something wrong. I don't think you would make yourself feel like crap all the time on purpose. And if you are doing that then it still means something is wrong and you should try and get some help.

paiger81

10-20-2005, 04:44 PM

I can't speak for others, but with my experience with OCD(which is a form of depression), it reached a point where, deep down, I knew I wasn't behaving normally. I would try to rationalize it and had myself pretty convinced that it was normal to to cry for hours at a time, or check car locks at 2am. In my head it was perfectly fine, I thought everyone else didn't get it. That's not a reasonable thought process, though.

Truthfully, I didn't crash until the day I contemplated taking pills so I could get a break from everything-which was the same day Kirk had to pull me out of the shower cause I was scrubbing it with a toothbrush & clorox naked. It wasn't even the pulling me out of the shower that made me think I needed help...it was that I might actually kill myself that made me stop & think.

wordsmith

10-20-2005, 04:46 PM

I think everyone feels that they are fine, but with any mental disorder, they really aren't. They just don't want/know how to admit that to themselves.

No, I don't mean "I view myself fine" as in "I think I'm not depressed." I recognize that I'm depressed.

What I mean is, those things always ask "Do you feel consistently down on yourself?" No. I don't. That's what I mean. I feel good about myself. That doesn't mean that I don't still feel depressed. I just feel like life and other people are kind of kicking the shit out of me. But I don't have low self esteem or berate myself. I just don't understand why people won't give me a chance.

LakeJay

10-20-2005, 04:52 PM

I understand what you're saying, Paige. It's almost like you need "external party" - in your case, Kirk - to help you realize the situation you are in. You just hope that those around you will be willing to confront you with it rather than ignore it.

paiger81

10-20-2005, 04:53 PM

I get what you are saying Jess, I've never had a problem with self esteem either. But, if you are depressed, something is making you that way, something more than just 1 thing. Being depressed doesn't mean you don't like yourself, it means that there are some outside forces that make you feel bad.

Therapy helps you to self-examine & see how perhaps your(generaly you) thinking process may need to change in order to handle your depressors.

paiger81

10-20-2005, 04:55 PM

I understand what you're saying, Paige. It's almost like you need "external party - in your case, Kirk - to help you realize the situation you are in. You just hope that those around you will be willing to confront you with it rather than ignore it.

It wasn't even Kirk. I had pretty well hidden my issues from all of my family--I was the golden child who never did anything wrong, me going crazy would ruin that image. By the time Kirk found me, I had been suffering for nearly 2 years, he just happened to stop by my apartment when I was having a "tick".

wordsmith

10-20-2005, 04:55 PM

Yeah...it's all stuff I don't have any ability to change. So my only choice is to try to change how it makes me feel.

paiger81

10-20-2005, 04:56 PM

Yeah...it's all stuff I don't have any ability to change. So my only choice is to try to change how it makes me feel.

EXACTLY. And that is what theraoy helps to do. It won't make you a less giving person, it'll just help you to recognize the depressors & have a way to fight back....for lack of a better term.

Bugsey34

10-20-2005, 04:58 PM

EXACTLY. And that is what theraoy helps to do. It won't make you a less giving person, it'll just help you to recognize the depressors & have a way to fight back....for lack of a better term.

Hmm... good point. How does one find a good therapist, with no recommendations?

paiger81

10-20-2005, 05:00 PM

My first therapist was recommended by my general physician.

My second, I checked a list that were on my insurance, then called to ask what their specialty was(some are more skilled towards Clinical Depression, OCD, Geriatrics, etc) then set up appt's and kept the one that I could most relate to.

wordsmith

10-20-2005, 05:12 PM

I just kind of have to go w/ my very limited options...go rural health care. Hope it happens to be somebody decent. I know I haven't had good luck w/ physicians.

WeirdBrake

10-20-2005, 05:37 PM

Yay! According to this quiz, I'm not at all depressed. :) And I scored above the 95th percentile for depression on the MMPI (a big personality test) when I was 15.

Jess, when I was depressed, there were certain classic symptoms that I never felt. For example, I never felt "guilty" or like I was a bad person or anything like that. I felt incredibly hopeless and had very low self-esteem... but no self-loathing. I didn't hate myself; I felt bad for myself. So if you don't have low self-esteem at all, it's possible you just don't have that particular symptom. Everyone's different.

wordsmith

10-20-2005, 05:39 PM

Yeah...the main symptoms I seem to have are the ones that relate to having no more energy to really care about anything anymore, and sense of disappointment and hopelessness about things going on around me. I'm not self-loathing, I don't think I'm worthless, I don't feel sad or down on myself. I feel frustrated and defeated.

WeirdBrake

10-20-2005, 05:41 PM

Yeah...the main symptoms I seem to have are the ones that relate to having no more energy to really care about anything anymore, and sense of disappointment and hopelessness about things going on around me.

I felt like that BIG TIME when I was depressed. Major hopelessness and also a "leaden" feeling... a feeling of dread and physical lethargy.

wordsmith

10-20-2005, 05:56 PM

It's not really dread. It's just a weariness. I don't see much point in anything.

WeirdBrake

10-20-2005, 06:01 PM

It's not really dread. It's just a weariness. I don't see much point in anything.

I remember feeling that, too. In fact, I'd say an all-pervasive hopelessness was my main symptom. More than anything else.

wordsmith

10-20-2005, 06:10 PM

I think it might be a backlash from caring soooooooooooo much about most everything. I think it's finally hitting me that it doesn't matter how much you care about things or people.

lilyflower

10-20-2005, 07:05 PM

wordsmith

10-20-2005, 07:24 PM

I saw that, too...I was like, "Hmmm, this quiz is sponsored by Zoloft..."

Umbra

10-20-2005, 07:25 PM

Quiz results

Your score is: 6

Only a trained professional who has been able to interview you will be able to determine if you have depression. However, your score on the CES-Depression Scale indicates that you have a very low probability of having depression at this time.

I'm good. :)

biodork

10-20-2005, 08:47 PM

So much of these tests are bullshit, I answered honestly about being exhausted because I have extreme difficulties sleeping and how I never seem to have energy and I came back as "moderately depressed". No, I'm not moderately depressed, I'm majorly sleep deprived. Those inventories are so freaking subjective, and I'm not even going to start that the WebMD one is sponsored by a pharmaceticual company that makes antidepressants.
Actually that wasn't a WebMd one, it was one that is linked off of the webmd site.

That's why I posted the mood chart, because if you keep track of it for a month you'll know better and you can take it in to someone, like a therapist, who can tell you what's really going on.

pisces2473

10-20-2005, 10:14 PM

Uhhh, question for anyone who's been diagnosed with depression:

Have any of you ever been administered any types of quizzes?

Not I.

lilyflower

10-21-2005, 12:33 PM

Uhhh, question for anyone who's been diagnosed with depression:

Have any of you ever been administered any types of quizzes?

Not I.

Um, maybe once a long long time ago but it was some sort of depression inventory - much different than one of these Zoloft sponsored quizzes. Not that these might not point out problems, but I wouldn't say you should take total faith in some internet quiz and diagnose yourself from one. YMMV

paiger81

10-21-2005, 12:46 PM

I really hope no one thought I was saying "Take this Quiz to See if You are Clinically Depressed" cause that's DEFINITELY NOT what I meant.

lilyflower

10-21-2005, 01:15 PM

I really hope no one thought I was saying "Take this Quiz to See if You are Clinically Depressed" cause that's DEFINITELY NOT what I meant.

I know, Paige. :) I was just pointing out that these tests shouldn't be taken for gospel, no matter what the results say if someone thinks they could have a genuine problem they should seek help. However, if someone gets a positive result, it's not a reason to completely freak and worry, that's all. :)

cameralady

10-27-2005, 05:10 PM

I think it's finally hitting me that it doesn't matter how much you care about things or people.

I can understand this. This is why I generally couldn't care less about politics (good or bad) or anything related to "making a difference".

cameralady

10-27-2005, 05:17 PM

Uhhh, question for anyone who's been diagnosed with depression:

Have any of you ever been administered any types of quizzes?

I went into my last round of therapy after I stopped in to a Depression Screening Day on campus. (The counseling center run through the school of human development was sponsoring it.) I took the quiz and scored high. Someone there went over my results with me, and suggested that I come in to talk to someone.

I was then encouraged to consult with a psychiatrist if medication was necessary after about a year because of progress (or lack thereof). Then I was prescribed Zoloft.

I don't think diagnosing major depression is as simple as taking some 15-20 question quiz. However, if you're already suffering, the quiz will confirm what you probably already know.

So much of these tests are bullshit, I answered honestly about being exhausted because I have extreme difficulties sleeping and how I never seem to have energy and I came back as "moderately depressed". No, I'm not moderately depressed, I'm majorly sleep deprived.

That question was probably there because depression can wreak havoc on sleep cycles, and sleep depravation can make depression worse. However, I see what you mean.

Brillo25

10-27-2005, 05:20 PM

"Your score is: 44

The likelihood that you have major or clinical depression is high."

Damn.

pink bunny

10-28-2005, 12:14 AM

I got 38 and 19, I guess I am clinicly insane...

J-girl

10-28-2005, 09:53 AM

I took the quiz for fun and I am moderately depressed. Quick I need to call a mental health professional and ask for pills :rolleyes:

uhhh NOT

Mokey1879

10-28-2005, 10:13 AM

WeirdBrake

10-28-2005, 11:15 AM

OK so I have a question for those who have had/are in therapy. Do you go to a psychiatrist or a psychologist? I know that psychiatrists can prescribe meds and generally psychologists cannot, but are there other differences between them?

I'm considering a little therapy just to help me learn to deal with things better. I'm not totally convinced they'll help but I know I don't want to feel like crapola all the time.

If you want some therapy for the reasons you stated, my personal opinion is that you should go to a psychologist. Psychiatrists, because they CAN prescribe meds, seem all too willing to do just that. Especially these days. Psychologists are probably more likely to treat you as a complicated human being (rather than a mass of neurochemicals) and give you some practical help in dealing with your life.

Mokey1879

10-28-2005, 11:19 AM

That's what I thought, WB. Thanks for the info. My general physician prescribed me meds for a short time about a year and a half ago and I felt like a robot. Definitely want to avoid that again. Does insurance cover psychologists & do you need a referral?

WeirdBrake

10-28-2005, 11:43 AM

Yeah, I have nothing good to say about my experience with psychotropic meds, either. As for the insurance, I know that it can cover all or at least part of therapy with a psychologist. It depends. I'm not sure about whether you need a referral, but if you do, most physicians are more than happy to do so.

coll214

10-28-2005, 11:49 AM

yeah, the only difference between the two is the prescribe meds. And if they do think you may need them, they can talk to your regular doc, only after you give them permission to do so.

Mokey1879

10-28-2005, 12:10 PM

I thought meds were going to be the best thing since sliced bread but they just gave me a headache and made me emotionless. Maybe I just didn't have bad enough symptoms for them? Besides I believe strongly it's my way of thinking and not an imbalance that makes me all bummy. Maybe they can help me with my road rage. I highly doubt they'll be able to suddenly make all people in Indiana good drivers though. Oh well.

yankeeyosh

10-29-2005, 09:56 PM

No surprise here:

From the first: "The likelihood that you have major or clinical depression is high"

From the second, regarding depression: "Severe 16-20 "

I really don't have problem sleeping...sometimes in the past,, I sometimes took hours and hours to fall asleep. Now, even though my stress is actually higher than before, I actually sleep quite soundly, which is pretty good.