Depression Test: Are You Showing Signs of Depression?
Last Updated on July 11, 2024 by rootal
Reviewed by April Justice, LICSW
- Updated on 11 July 2024
Depression test is a mental health assessment with a standard set of questions to assess whether you have depression.
The online depression test cannot replace a clinical diagnosis. If you believe you may have depression, book a therapy session with a qualified counsellor in Singapore.
We all have moments where we feel hopeless and sad. Feeling down occasionally is normal; however, if these feelings extend for more than a month, it may indicate signs of depression.
Depression is the most common yet the most misunderstood mental health condition worldwide. According to WHO, nearly 280 million people experience depression globally.
Depression can look different for everyone. Hence, the depression test may overall asses the primary symptoms visible.
This article expands on the details of a depression test, who it is for, and its accuracy. Look out for some commonly asked questions about depression!
What Is Depression?
Depression includes several emotional, mental, and social symptoms. Living with depression can make everyday tasks feel impossible, and many may even struggle to get out of bed in the morning.
The condition can affect your mood, thought processes, emotions, and how you perceive the world. Imagine seeing the world with a grey-coloured lens – that’s close to how depression might feel daily.
To diagnose depression, professional counsellors may check if the symptoms occur for most of the day, every day, and for more than two weeks.
Counsellors also analyse how the symptoms have affected various aspects of life, including work/school performance, interpersonal relationships, family dynamics, and hobbies.
A depression test may assess for symptoms such as:
- Feeling moody, sad, or hopeless
- Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Experiencing significant fluctuations in weight (eg rapid weight loss)
- Finding it hard to eat food or wanting to eat all the time
- Having insomnia or hypersomnia (ie sleeping too much)
- Having little energy
- Feeling fatigued and exhausted all the time
- Engaging in purposeless activities (eg pacing, fidgeting) or moving and speaking very slowly (slow enough to be observable by others)
- Feeling excessive misplaced guilt and shame
- Finding it hard to concentrate, pay attention, recall important information, or make decisions
- Having thoughts of death or suicidal ideations
If you relate to two or more of the above symptoms, you may have depression. Fortunately, depression is treatable.
In fact, research shows that nearly 70%-90% of people with depression respond positively to therapeutic interventions.
Who Is the Depression Test For?
Depression tests are for anyone who may be curious about their lifestyle and mood swings or suspect that they may be experiencing symptoms of depression.
Taking a depression test can sometimes give you clarity about your thoughts and feelings.
For example, when we feel hopeless and worthless, we may not realise the depth and intensity of our emotions.
These emotions may eventually lead us to engage in harmful behaviours like self-harm, maladaptive behaviours, consuming substances, or giving up on important opportunities in life.
Hence, taking a depression test can help us become self-aware and reflect on our symptoms.
Moreover, the quiz may even help you determine if you require professional therapy in Singapore and may provide additional resources that you can use to better understand yourself.
Taking a depression test online can give you enough information about your struggles. After the test, you may find it easier to collect and articulate your thoughts to your counsellor.
Sharing detailed information about your condition can help the counsellor better understand your presenting problem and develop a personalised and effective therapeutic plan.
In the therapeutic plan, you may find interventions such as:
- Cognitive-based approaches
- Acceptance and commitment therapy
- Trauma-informed interventions
Is the Depression Test Accurate?
The depression test that you may find online is not a clinical or diagnostic tool. It is designed to assess your symptoms and know whether to seek professional help.
However, you can use the self-screening tests to track your moods and emotions.
The depression test may also provide some data to your counsellor about how your signs have changed from one session to another.
In conclusion, only a mental health professional, such as a depression counsellor, can help you determine the next best steps for you.
Professional psychologists can conduct diagnostic assessments and scan for conditions like depression and anxiety disorders.
Takeaway
Feeling down now and then is normal, but if these feelings linger for more than a month, it might be a sign of depression.
An online depression test can be a helpful first step in understanding your symptoms, but it’s not a substitute for a clinical diagnosis. If you think you may have depression, book a session with a qualified counsellor in Singapore.
Remember, you’re not alone—depression is common but also treatable. With the right support and treatment, many people see significant improvements. So, take that first step towards better mental health today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get tested for depression?
At Talk Your Heart Out (TYHO), we offer a free assessment to help you understand your current state of mind.
For a clinical diagnosis, book a therapy session with a TYHO psychologist. Psychologists can build rapport with you, clinically observe your symptoms and conduct depression tests to diagnose you with depression.
During your initial session, a psychologist may ask you several questions about your:
- Mental health history
- Presenting problems
- Medical history
- Family history
- Past and current relationships
The information you provide the expert can help them gain a holistic understanding of you as a person and your mental health issues.
The psychologist may also ask how your mood and emotions impact your daily functioning to determine if a depression diagnosis applies to you.
How common is depression?
Depression is the most common mental health condition in Singapore.
According to recent research, nearly 1 out of 16 Singaporeans have depression symptoms at least once in their lifetime.
Is it possible to self-diagnose depression?
No, only a mental healthcare professional can clinically diagnose you with depression. However, self-diagnosis is for you and can help you understand yourself better.
Your self-diagnosis cannot help you receive any accommodation or validity in work or university places.
It is important to know that you know yourself the best. Hence, you can identify and analyse aspects of depression within yourself.
For example, are you constantly feeling down and hopeless? Do you feel like you want to give up? Are you struggling with a lack of concentration and attention?
Any input you have about yourself can help your psychologist provide effective treatment.
What is a clinical depression test?
A clinical depression test is a diagnostic tool that can provide the scope and impact of your depression.
Psychologists use clinical depression tests along with generalised questionaries and assessments to provide a formal diagnosis.
The test may include several open-ended and closed-ended questions about your mood, emotions, thoughts, social relationships, daily activities and functioning, and outlook on life.
Your psychologist may provide an appropriate diagnosis based on the total score and a clinical interview.
How is depression diagnosed?
Depression is diagnosed in a therapy session. The initial few sessions may be used to build rapport and understand the client.
Once the psychologist understands the client’s personality and thought processes, they may begin the diagnostic process.
To diagnose, an expert may look for symptoms in the DSM-5. They may also clinically observe and provide therapeutic activities to holistically assess the patient.
The client may use the formal diagnosis to gain workplace or school accommodations, such as extra time to finish an exam or leniency in deadlines.
Who can diagnose depression?
A mental health expert, such as a Singaporean psychotherapist or a psychologist, can diagnose depression.
To find a qualified psychologist, visit each professional’s full profile to review their:
- Qualifications
- Expertise
- Therapeutic approaches
- Short videos
- Therapy style
- Personal descriptions
Once you shortlist and finalise a professional, book a session with them.
At TYHO, we offer both online and offline therapy in Singapore.
What are the primary symptoms of depression?
People may experience different types of primary symptoms.
Sometimes, people may also have hidden depression, where they may pretend like everything is fine but may struggle greatly inside.
Some may do it intentionally as they may fear judgment, while others could hide their depression unintentionally.
Hence, it can be helpful to talk to a professional to assess what kind of symptoms you experience and how best to manage them
Emotional symptoms of depression include:
- Feeling upset or sad for no reason
- Feeling emotional all the time
- Feeling like something is wrong with you
- Feeling like nobody likes you
- Feeling frustrated or angry all the time
- Feeling bad about yourself
- Feeling guilt and shame
Physical signs of depression include:
- Having no appetite
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Muscle pain
- Headaches
- Gastrointestinal issues
What are my therapy options to cope with depression?
At TYHO, we provide several types of therapy options to help you manage depression.
For example, you can try individual counselling if you find it hard to:
- Form social connections
- Manage your emotions
- Think positively
- Carry out daily activities
If you are in a relationship and would like to explore how your condition impacts your partner, you can try couples counselling.
Other options include family counselling. During family therapy, you can join sessions with your family to understand how to support others and manage the condition.
Depending on the depression test and your preferences and based on what might work best for you, your psychologist may use one or multiple therapeutic interventions.
Through consistent therapy, active participation, and healthy social support – you can overcome the symptoms of depression!
