Taking a quick depressed test can help you get an idea if and if so, how depressed you are. There are several prestigious and credible self-tests that you can take online. Below are some of the more popular depression tests:

1.) CES-D – Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
This depressed test was created by Lenore Radloff of Utah State University. It is a 20-question test that helps measure your depressive symptoms by the feelings you have had in the past week.

2.) QIDS-SR – Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology – Self-Report
This 16-question depressed test was created by researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. It is based on 9 different criterion domains and measures 16 factors to determine a person’s level of major depression.

3.) Geriatric Depression Rating Scale
This depressed test is a 15-question test with all answers being “yes” or “no.” This depressed test helps to measure the level of depressive symptoms particularly in older people.

4.) K10 Test for Psychological Distress
Created by researchers in Australia, this 10-question depressed test helps to measure the level of psychological distress you are experiencing due to anxiety and depression that you have experienced in the last 4 weeks.

Vincent van Gogh's 1890 painting "At Eternity's Gate."

What is Depression?

Depression is a mental health condition that affects millions of people in different ways. Depression is an affliction and like other such conditions, it requires immediate and proper diagnosis in addition to treatment for a full cure. Depression is among the most common of medical conditions and has been recognized as a distinct pathologic entity from very early Egyptian times. Depression is a state of being aversion to activity, in simple words being ‘sad’. Depression is a mental condition that is becoming more and more common.

Symptoms
So, what are the signs and symptoms of depression? Symptoms are incredibly clear right from the start of the disease. Symptoms lasting 2 weeks or more signifies a state of depression. Examples of depressed symptoms can be despondent mood, lack of interest in everyday life, fatigue, diminished appetite, insomnia, constipation, excess weight gain and diminshed sexual interest. Symptoms must be existing regularly or most of the day, or nearly daily for about 2 weeks. If you happen to be experiencing symptoms such as weight loss, general weakness or stress, you might be vitamin B deficient.

Treatment
Treatment can continue to keep your symptoms from getting worse and make them go away faster. Treatment solutions will vary based on the cause and seriousness of your depression symptoms, along with your personal preference. Treatment choices for adolescents with depression are similar to those utilized to treat depression in adults. Treatment is hardly brief since establishing new thinking and behaviors takes time. Psychotherapy, or “talk therapy,” is typically utilized in in conjunction with antidepressant medications.

What are the Symptoms of Depression?

The somatic symptoms of depression (eg, fatigue, insomnia, diminished appetite, diminished sexual interest, excess weight change, and constipation) causes lots of people to visit their primary treatment medical professionals. When a person has five or more of these depressed symptoms for 2 weeks or longer, that individual is probably depressed. At different times, individuals undergo bouts where these symptoms are very intense; other times these same emotions can be at a decreased level for a long time. Depressed symptoms may also occur one at a time or more than one at any given time.

Other symptoms consist of unpleasant behaviors such as tantrums, inability to deal with frustration, complaining or crying. It is essential to understand that because depression is a syndrome, with assorted signs and symptoms and manifestations, the presenting complaint might be something other than a minimal mood. For instance a depressed individual may complain of insomnia, anxiety, or discomfort, with each dilemma merely a characteristic of depression which is the fundamental problem. Also, depression can be hereditary. If you feel your child is exhibiting depression signs, and you have a family tendency for depression, than very likely your child is depressed.

And while it’s easy to discount depression’s symptoms as a ” phase” or some type of character weakness on the part of the family member or friend, doing so can be extremely detrimental for their all around health – now, as well as in the near future. If a friend or family member displays symptoms of depression, you need to listen and encourage him or her to inquire about treatment.

Many of the the signs of suicidal emotions are similar to those of depression. Emotions and the signs of grief may take weeks, months, as well as many years to manifest and evolve. Since individuals hardly ever volunteer thoughts of suicide, you should inquire directly.

If you or a loved one experience symptoms of depression at anytime, seek professional help and advice from your family doctor.