Clinical Depression Test and Diagnosis

Updated July 14, 2021

Everyone has bad days. Everyone has the blues. Some attest that their periods of melancholy help to fuel their creativity, or at the very least, help them appreciate the finer moments of life. Isn’t life a balance between the highs and lows?

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It's understandable, then, why family members, friends, and authority figures may try to dismiss symptoms of depression as merely something to be tolerated. Perhaps it’s seen as just a "challenge" that we all must personally overcome.

But if you suffer from intense periods of depression, or your depressive episodes seem to get harder to see the end of, it could be time to try counseling or medication. Choosing a plan to ease your pain and distress can make you feel empowered and less hopeless about your situation.

You can begin by reviewing this sample depression test and seeing if anything resonates with you.

A Sample Depression Questionnaire

How often do you feel depressed? Several times a week or every day?
Do you feel frequent episodes of hopelessness and/or that life is meaningless?
Are you frequently angry at yourself and feel as if you're a failure, haven't achieved anything, or are useless?
Do you often lose interest in doing things you used to enjoy?
Are you isolating yourself from others?
Do your friends or family members tell you you're short-tempered or irritable lately?
Do you feel anxious, particularly about social interactions?
Do you feel unusually tired throughout the day?
Are you experiencing insomnia or unusual sleeping habits?
Have your eating habits changed, or have you gained or lost a lot of weight?
Do you engage in reckless behavior, particularly behavior that seems out of character?
Are you plagued with anti-social thoughts, especially suicidal fantasies or rationalizations?
Do you only feel happy or at peace when drinking alcohol, smoking pot, etc.?

If you answered "often" or a "yes" to a majority of these questions, a doctor might work with you and reach a diagnosis on the scale of clinical depression. If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, reach out for help immediately. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 1-800-273-8255.

The National Institute of Mental Health explains that in order to receive a diagnosis of depression, your symptoms must be present most of the day for most of the days in a two week period. These symptoms, captured in the test’s questions, affect how you think, behave, and feel.

While it's up to the doctor to make a medical diagnosis, most people who report these symptoms are experiencing an uncomfortable amount of pain and distress. A doctor will likely spend more time with you determining the larger scope of your feelings and behaviors. They might ask questions like these:

Do you feel major depression a majority of the time?
Are you experiencing irrational or suicidal thoughts?
Are you putting yourself or others at risk with reckless behavior?
Could the depression be connected to any physical illnesses, or paired with other mental disorders?

Your doctor may advise you to improve other areas of your well-being like your diet, exercise patterns, sleep habits, creative outlets and positive social interactions.

However, it’s possible that improving those areas of your life also feels impossible at the moment. You may also realize you are doing all those things and still feeling depressed. Medication and/or talk therapy might be suitable paths forward. Your doctor can refer you to a psychiatrist, who may recommend medication and therapy as a treatment plan.

Diagnosing Depression Throughout History

From the time of Ancient Greece and the writings of Aristotle, depression or "melancholy" was frequently associated with the "brilliance" of male scholars. It was theorized that creative thought naturally led to such existential suffering. In more recent history, depression was often associated and therefore dismissed with female “hysteria.”

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Throughout history, depression’s causes and cures have been theorized about. This should be proof that depression isn’t just a small problem or something you have to accept. Scholars and doctors around the world throughout time have been hunting for deeper understanding to better help people.

It’s been a trend to relate depression to performance. By focusing on how depression is affecting someone’s career instead of their personal wellbeing, we are devaluing the individual. In current practice, it is standard to view the individual’s well-being and fulfillment as paramount. Doctors can work with you to find a treatment plan that suits you. That can look like antidepressants, a nutritionist, a therapist, a rehabilitation program, and many other options.

Is It A Chemical Imbalance Or Just Unfavorable Circumstances?

Sometimes our life circumstances can pose such significant challenges in our lives that we feel depressed. Perhaps you’ve lost a loved one, a beloved pet, an important job, or a key relationship. Oftentimes, in the healing process, you may experience depression. Even if you know it is tied to something specific in your life circumstances, there is still help available.

You may also find yourself feeling anxious, stressed, or depressed in your usual circumstances. You may realize you can’t cope anymore even though nothing has really changed. Or maybe you’ve been stuck in the dumps since a negative experience and can’t find the way up and out. There are tools available to you through talk therapy that will help you change the way you deal with those negative feelings. Those often include recognizing negative thought patterns or behavioral habits and challenging them. You and your therapist can work together to both heal the wound at the center and move forward today and tomorrow with courage.

Factors Of Depression

As your doctor leads you through a depression test, a doctor may try and trace the start of your depression with a life event. For example: statistically, women tend to feel depressed more often than men because of hormone fluctuations. Particularly after pregnancy, after a miscarriage, after childbirth or during menopause, depression can spike.

Men can experience their own version of "andropause," an aging process involving the lower production of testosterone, which leads to more volatile and negative emotions. Doctors may also try to determine if your depression may be age-related, since most depression tests and diagnoses occur during the ages of 25 to 45.

Your doctor will want to get a broad understanding of your health before they move forward with you on a treatment plan to see if there is anything compounding your symptoms. These circumstances can include:

Alcoholism or drug abuse
A history of child abuse (particularly unresolved feelings stemming from the past or even a forgotten experience)
Family history of depression
Chronic stress from family events
Side effects of certain medications
A major life event (sometimes a positive life event)
Chronic or terminal illness
Undiagnosed mental disorders (bipolar, borderline, anxiety, etc.)

The Question Is Not "If" But "How"

It is always up to you if you prefer to move forward with medication. Medication is usually prescribed in order to combat physical ailments or severe mental problems. It is also often prescribed in conjunction to therapy.

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If you feel you can cope with your symptoms of depression, you can always choose to do so on your own or with your own support network. A clinical depression test merely helps you determine how mild or severe your symptoms are.

If you feel as if your depression or anxiety is limiting your life and compromising your work, your family life or your general happiness, then you may feel it's time to seek psychiatric treatment or regular counseling.

What To Expect From A Medical Test For Depression

The idea of confessing an experience with depression and asking a doctor for help can be intimidating to some people. That intimidation can particularly affect men, who statistically conceal their depression more so than women. It may help to consider what a clinical depression test is for, what to expect from an exam, and what to expect from the counselor to whom you are referred.

A medical doctor typically refers you to a specialist after determining there are no physical factors at play in your depression that should be addressed immediately. A physical examination and lab work can rule out diseases/conditions like:

Thyroid disease (underactive or overactive thyroid gland)
Adrenal gland disorder (Cushing's disease)
Nervous system diseases
Vitamin deficiency
Tumors
Cancer
Head trauma
Multiple Sclerosis
Strokes
Syphilis
Anemia
Side effects of other medications

Blood tests can reveal these factors. Your doctor will also likely check your kidney, liver, and electrolytes, since these directly affect your body's ability to absorb and eliminate medication you may be prescribed.

Questionnaire tests may focus on the severity of your depression or may help you to evaluate your feelings. Some questions can feel personal, but it’s important to be candid with your doctor since your answers can reveal a great deal about what you're experiencing.

The Types of Depression

A doctor may refer you to a mental health specialist where you can focus on what type of depression you're dealing with. This will help narrow down what kind of treatment plan will work best for you.

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The clinical test your doctor leads you through can be combined with a specialist’s efforts to determine which type of depression you are experiencing. This can influence what type of treatments are more likely to help.

Persistent Depressive Disorder: This is where you experience major depression with occasional periods of alleviation and peace, but the condition persists in the long-term.

Perinatal Depression: This affects women after childbirth and exceeds the severity of postpartum depression. It makes daily motherhood activities feel very difficult or impossible.

Psychotic Depression: This is depression plus symptoms of psychosis, which is when you break from reality. This can include delusions, paranoia, or hallucinations.

Bipolar Disorder: This is characterized by extreme highs and lows, considered euphoria and "mania," in addition to more severe depressive episodes

Seasonal Affective Disorder: This a kind of depression brought on by seasonal changes.

Treatment Really Works

According to the National Institute of Health, 80 percent of individuals treated for depression show improvement within four to six weeks. The most successful treatment included a combination of medication, therapy, and the possibility of group therapy.

Treating depression and its symptoms is not a quick fix for anyone. Treatment plans that include multiple methodologies like professional help, personal changes, and medication (when prescribed by your physician) can best ease your symptoms.

You can seek professional help and find a way to control or lessen the severity of your depression symptoms. It is possible to completely ease your symptoms and manage them.

You can begin your journey by talking with a licensed online counselor today. They can help to evaluate your symptoms through an online depression evaluation. A licensed counselor can recommend whether your next step should be seeking a doctor's medical opinion, or if non-medical alternatives might lessen the symptoms.

A meta-study has found has found that internet-based treatment plans for depression have promise to be evidence-based treatment paths, like in-person therapy. As internet treatment evolves to best help patients, more and more people are turning online for help. Seeking online counseling as the first step or one of your steps to feel better can be a convenient, comfortable option.

If you are dealing with severe symptoms of depression, it can be challenging to find the energy or motivation to seek help. By turning to BetterHelp, you can begin talking to a counselor quickly and easily. You’ll be able to choose a communication method that works for you. You can speak over the phone, via video chat, or online messaging. You can receive help exactly where you are, bypassing the need for extensive planning or even leaving the house. BetterHelp’s counselors are trained, licensed professionals who can help you determine your course of action. They’ll be able to see your symptoms objectively and advise you.

Hear from some of BetterHelp’s users who have benefited from our counselors in treating their depression:

“I worked with Sarah for some months last year, while struggling a lot with depression, relationship issues and my self esteem. It was a really difficult time in my life, but I must say that Sarah really helped me a lot. From before I had some bad experiences with therapists, feeling that they didn’t really see me and understand what I needed help with, but with Sarah it was soooo different! From the very first session I felt like she got me, knew what I needed and that she managed to see the connection between my issues and my background. Working with her truly helped me a lot with moving out of my depression, battling the issues in my relationships and maybe most importantly, getting my self esteem back and truly loving myself. I’d absolutely recommend Sarah, and I’d most definitely trust her again if life gives me lemons again!”

“I have had chronic mild depression my whole 50 year life. Been to therapy, once long term, several other attempts where I did not connect, including a couple on BetterHelp, but made minimal progress. Laura is the first person who I felt has been able to zero in on the root problem and offer a path to recovery, and for the first time I am cautiously optimistic that with her help she can prod me and work with me to finally achieve happiness”

What does it mean to be diagnosed with clinical depression?

Cases of depression range from temporary episodes of sadness to prolonged, persistent depression with symptoms that are more severe. When a person is diagnosed with clinical depression, they are experiencing major mental health issues. People with clinical depression usually report having bad days nearly every day for two or more weeks. Mental Health America provides stories of real people who have behavioral health challenges, as a means of building a community of support through real testimonials from people who have successfully managed the symptoms of clinical depression.

Depression is common, caused by triggers ranging from grief, sudden loss, health complications, traumatic stress, or environmental factors. Doctors reference the symptoms listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to diagnose clinical depression. These include feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, agitation, loss of appetite or overeating, irritability, insomnia, tiredness, feelings of worthlessness, guilt, self-blame, frequent thoughts of death, or unexplained aches or pains.

When these symptoms become severe enough to impact a person’s decision making, their personal relationships, or the way they function at work or in school, speak with a health care professional. Clinical depression creates a similar mental health problem in people of all ages, races, genders, and backgrounds. Speaking with a professional will help you learn more about the best treatment programs for the symptoms of clinical depression that may be affecting your life.

How do you test for psychological disorders?

A variety of tests are used to evaluate whether a person is living with a psychological disorder. Organizations invested in helping people through their psychological challenges, such as Mental Health America, provide an assortment of tools and resources to provide access to proper testing and treatment. A mental health screening is the best way to test for psychological disorders, however, the results may be impacted by other underlying or preexisting conditions. To guarantee the accuracy of the test’s results, doctors will usually conduct additional screenings, including a physical exam and various lab or neurological tests, to provide a conclusive diagnosis.

During a mental health exam, doctors rely on a series of questionnaires and exploratory prompts to determine if a person exhibits symptoms of psychological illness.These tests will identify how often a person feels down depressed, and for how long these symptoms linger. Other questions isolate potential patterns for other, less obvious, symptoms like trouble falling asleep or sleeping excessively throughout the day. While it is not a typical sign of extreme sadness, many physical symptoms could also be indicators of a psychological challenge.

Testing may also reveal indicators that raise the risk of developing a psychological disorder later in life. Doctors may look for factors like a history of drug abuse or ask if a family member has been diagnosed with mental illness. These may be indicators of needing additional mental health services.

Because diagnosing the wide range of psychological disorders is difficult extremely different approaches may be applied to categorize each person’s condition. Following guidelines in the DSM-5, the manual which classifies mental illness published by the American Psychiatric Association, doctors use evidence from the compiled results of each test to determine the type of psychological disorder a person may have.

How do I know if I'm bipolar?

Bipolar disorder is a complicated diagnosis that can only be evaluated by a health care professional. People with this condition experience constant feelings of depression anxiety, coupled with frequent fluctuations in their mood and behavior. Bipolar disorder creates many unstable days nearly every day, especially if the disorder remains undiagnosed. Symptoms range from extreme elevations in a person’s mood, otherwise referred to as “mania”, to persistent feelings that leave you feeling depressed or hopeless.

Also known as bipolar disease and manic depression, bipolar disorder treatment is supported by years of research and study. Organizations like Mental Health America provide lists of possible signs and symptoms that people with bipolar disorder may have. Issues with managing everyday life, inability to maintain desired performance at school or work, and recurring instances of stress matched with occasional bursts of manic happiness are the most common signs that show a person may have bipolar disorder.

Affecting 2.8% of adults in the U.S., understanding the commonness of this disorder will hopefully inspire more people to explore the various treatment programs and support groups that target bipolar. Most people won’t see symptoms until they turn 25, but there are rare instances of adolescent bipolar and people who develop symptoms of the disorder later in life.

If you have experienced depression, prolonged exposure to traumatic stress, uncontrollable behavior, changeable moods, or suicidal thoughts, this may be evidence of bipolar disorder. When experiencing mania, people with bipolar disorder usually report dramatic emotional highs, feelings excited, impulsive, and engaging in, sometimes, unsafe or irrational behavior like spending sprees, drug abuse, or unprotected sex. Although there is no cure, resources provided by organizations like Mental Health America, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (24/7 help by dialing 1-800-273-8255) living with bipolar is manageable over time.

What are the 4 types of bipolar?

As defined by the American Psychiatric Association, bipolar disorder can be classified into four main categories: Bipolar I, Bipolar II, Cyclothymia, and bipolar disorder presented due to medical or substance abuse.

People with Bipolar I experience at least one manic episode, whether hypomania or a major depressive event. Mental health information gathered from men and women showed an equal onset of the signs and symptoms of this type of bipolar disorder. It can be developed due to the traumatic stress of childhood experiences, relationship issues, grief, or loss. Symptoms can also develop as a result of addiction, drug abuse, or side effects of prescription drugs. In many cases, the cause of bipolar disorder is not defined by absolute means. This is why doctors focus on the frequency, severity, and pattern of known symptoms.

Bipolar II is diagnosed in people who report a major depressive episode that affects their decision making and emotions, causing sad days nearly every day for at least two weeks. They also report an increased interest or pleasure derived from hypomania activities for about four days at a time. Reports show that Bipolar II Disorder treatment is more commonly delivered to women.

Cyclothymia presents shorter and less severe, but more frequent, episodes of hypomania and depression than Bipolar I or Bipolar II Disorder, with symptoms often classified as mild. Information gathered from various mental health services such as Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) show that people with cyclothymia only maintain stable emotions for one to two months at a time. This condition usually develops during adolescence, with people being perceived as difficult, moody, or changeable. Because the signs of cyclothymic disorder don’t necessarily classify as mania or symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), many cases go undiagnosed and untreated.

The fourth type of bipolar disorder addresses people who exhibit signs and symptoms relative to the condition without a traceable trigger or pattern. Factors like drug abuse, prescription medication, and debilitating health diagnosis may attribute to the onset of mild depressive or mania symptoms. These issues persist for less than two years, which eliminates the criteria required to be classified as cyclothymia. At times, symptoms may resolve if they receive substance use treatment, join support groups, or receive health care to help treat the underlying illness or disease that led to the onset of bipolar related symptoms.

What triggers bipolar?

Bipolar disorder is a mental condition that creates frequent and extreme shifts in a person’s mood, leading to stressful and overwhelming days nearly every day. Mental health information gathered from the 2.3 million people living with bipolar disorder shows that many different triggers can stimulate a bipolar episode. With symptoms ranging from excessively elevated to manic depressive moods, it is difficult to isolate individual triggers.

Agencies such as Mental Health America report a wide range of triggers that cause depression and other psychological concerns. Genetic factors reveal that the first degree relatives of people with bipolar disorder places them at risk seven times higher than those who have no family history of mental illness. Other factors, such as biochemical causes, are also believed to trigger the onset of bipolar disorder. This may describe the depletion of various neurological chemicals and the imbalanced interaction of certain nerve endings in the brain. Biochemical triggers can be stimulated by anything from genetic predisposition to the physiological effects of drug abuse as well as taking some prescription medications.

Environmental factors that induce traumatic stress such as pregnancy, seasonal change, relationship changes, suicidal thoughts, or work-related stress are also causes reported by people with bipolar. Women may also see an increase in bipolar episodes after starting their menstrual cycle, experiencing pregnancy or loss, or the hormonal shifts associated with menopause. Still, the risk of developing bipolar disorder is not gender specific.

Triggers can be managed by living a healthy, alcohol and drug free lifestyle, psychological support, counseling, stress management, and getting adequate rest and exercise. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 to speak with somone for support.

Does Bipolar get worse as you age?

The effects of bipolar disorder create dramatic shifts in a person’s mood, causing sad, challenging days nearly every day. That added stress can create ongoing issues, as a person ages. When people in their 20s or 30s live with bipolar disorder, the extent of their mania can occasionally be managed for months or years at a time. With aging, the risk of becoming a “rapid cycler”, or person who fluctuates between mania and depression within days or weeks, increases.

The mental health information gathered from young and elderly patients with bipolar disorder also shows a drastic difference in each group’s response to certain prescription medications, such as lithium. These prescriptions are not tolerated well by people with bipolar disorder aged 75-80, which places them at higher risk and in greater need of alternative treatment. With most people learning of their condition around the age of 25, they can live with bipolar for many years, and experience the effects the disorder has on the mind and body. While many treatment programs target young adult and middle-aged groups, more advocacy is required for people living with geriatric depression and bipolar disorder.

Mental Health America explains that there is no cure for bipolar disorder. Regardless of how soon a person receives a diagnosis or begins treatment, symptoms tend to persist, to some degree, for the rest of their lives. If left untreated, bipolar usually gets worse, which can only exacerbate the common issues attributed with aging. The symptoms of manic depression and hypomania can place added stress on the brain and body, which can trigger even more manic episodes. For the elderly, a disturbing report from a primary care doctor or discovering a new health ailment can be enough to trigger severe bipolar episodes. This can lead to greater rates of irritability, changeable moods, irrationality, and lax impulse control, issues that can place older people at risk of harming themselves or others.

It’s important to explore all possible mental health solutions as soon as possible. The quicker you receive help, the more likely people are to develop skills to manage their symptoms. The suicide rate in older adults, aged 65 and up, is a major national health concern. Failing health, mental health complications, and estrangement from family can make it difficult for people within this age group to maintain a will to live, especially with bipolar. When in a manic state, elderly people can struggle with understanding the consequences of their actions, this makes suicide prevention a persistent concern for people with bipolar disorder. If you or a loved one is feeling manic depression or thoughts of self-harm, contact the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 to talk to someone.

Can bipolar go away?

Bipolar disorder is considered a chronic or “episodic” mental health challenge that requires lifelong treatment. While its symptoms affect people in different ways, and in varying intervals, there is no lasting cure. With proper treatment services, Mental Health America reports favorable declines in the onset of signs and symptoms. Those who receive adequate support see improvements in the severity and frequency of feelings of hopelessness and hypomania. Therapy can help people from having bad days nearly every day. With added support, people living with bipolar can learn the skills to better manage and self-regulate their symptoms.

The absence of symptoms in a person with bipolar disorder should not be confused with being healed. It is normal for people to experience everyday highs and lows, but people with bipolar can appear to be “better”, while only being between episodes. Bursts of energy, extreme happiness, and expressing behavior aligned with a good mood may still be evidence of mania, the “highs” of bipolar disorder. While family members may be pleased to see their loved one in a better mood, people with bipolar disorder can easily be thrust back into a depressed state, depending on the triggers relative to their condition.

Bipolar does not go away on its own and, even with successful treatment, its symptoms may resurface unexplainably after months or years of keeping them managed. Those who have experienced one or more manic episodes are more likely to see symptoms repeat. People with bipolar often see a decline or relapse when they attempt to wean themselves into a drug free, self-led treatment plan, usually inspired by brief instances of improved behavior and attitude. Even if you feel your symptoms are well-managed, it’s important to continue working with mental health services that specialize in treating bipolar disorder. Many services offer support and successful mental health solutions that make it easier to live with bipolar disorder. No matter what their chosen treatment plan entails, people will likely need to continue to receive some degree of treatment for the rest of their lives.

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The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.

Clinical Depression Test and Diagnosis

A Sample Depression Questionnaire

Diagnosing Depression Throughout History

Factors Of Depression

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Clinical Depression Test and Diagnosis

A Sample Depression Questionnaire

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Factors Of Depression

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