Do I Have Clinical Depression?
Are you wondering if you have clinical depression? This quiz may help you tell if you're at risk. Don't hesitate to ask for help; depression can be treated. 1. Have you been in a depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day for at least two weeks? 2. Have you lost interest or pleasure in most daily activities, nearly every day for at least two weeks? 3. Have you experienced a significant weight change (at least five pounds) either loss or gain recently? 4. Has your appetite changed (increased or decreased) for an extended period? 5. Have you suffered from insomnia or hypersomnia (oversleeping), nearly every day for at least two weeks? 6. Have you felt tired or experienced a loss of energy during the day, nearly every day for at least two weeks? 7. Have you had guilty feelings or feelings of worthlessness nearly every day for at least two weeks? 8. Have you had difficulty thinking, concentrating, or making decisions nearly every day? 9. Have you had any thoughts of death or any thoughts of suicide without any specific plan? a) Did you mark yes for either question 1 or 2? b) Did you mark yes four or more times in questions 3-9? If you responded yes to both (a) and (b), you may be suffering from an episode of major depression. If your symptoms are disabling and severe over a few weeks -- and especially if you are having suicidal thoughts -- you should seek professional treatment.