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CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS:
This page is updated regularly to include
symptoms checklists of many common disorders. Check back periodically to
take new tests!
Below are some of the symptoms of
depression. Many people go for years without seeking help because
friends or family tell them it's "normal to feel that way" or "It's all
in your head!" Don't suffer needlessly when help is so readily
available.
DEPRESSION:
Do you have depression?
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THE BURNS DEPRESSION CHECKLIST*
Print out this table and place a check in the box to
the right of each of the 15 symptom clusters to indicate how
much this type of feeling has been bothering you in the past
several days. Make sure you answer all the questions.
If you feel unsure about any, put down your best
guess. If you would like a weekly record of your progress,
re-take the inventory weekly and keep a record of your
answers. For more info on depression, refer to the
Monthly Topic section. |
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* Test taken from The Feeling
Good Handbook by David D. burns, M. D., an excellent source
for self-help with one's own depression or anxiety. |
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1. Sadness:
Have you been feeling sad or
down in the dumps? |
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2.
Discouragement: Does the future look
hopeless? |
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3. Low
self-esteem: Do you feel worthless
or think of
yourself as a failure? |
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4.
Inferiority: Do you feel inadequate or
inferior to
others? |
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5. Guilt:
Do you get self-critical
and blame
yourself for everything? |
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6.
Indecisiveness: Do you have trouble
making up your
mind about things? |
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7.
Irritability and frustration: Have you
been feeling
resentful and angry a good
deal of the
time? |
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8. Loss of
interest in life; Have you lost
interest in your
career, your hobbies,
your family, or
your friends? |
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9. Loss of
motivation: Do you feel
overwhelmed and
have to push yourself
hard to do
things? |
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10. Poor
self-image: Do you think you're
looking old or
unattractive? |
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11. Appetite changes: Have you
lost your
appetite? Or do you overeat or
binge
compulsively? |
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12. Sleep changes: Do you suffer
from
insomnia and find it hard to get
a good night's sleep? Or are you excessively tired and sleeping
too much? |
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13. Loss of libido: Have you
lost your
interest in sex? |
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14. Hypochondriasis: Do you
worry a great
deal about your health? |
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15. Suicidal impulses
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Do you have
thoughts that life is not worth
living or
think that you might be better
off dead? |
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Add up your total score for the 15
symptoms and record it here: _____
Date: _______
After you have completed the test, add up
your total score. It will be somewhere between 0 (if you answered "not
at all" for each of the 15 categories) and 45 (if you answered "a lot"
for each one). Use this
key to interpret your score:
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TOTAL SCORE |
DEGREE OF DEPRESSION: |
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0 - 4 |
Minimal or no depression |
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5 - 10 |
Borderline depression |
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11 - 20 |
Mild depression |
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21 - 30 |
Moderate depression |
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31 - 45 |
Severe depression |
Anyone with
suicidal urges should seek immediate consultation with a qualified
Marriage and Family Therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist or call 911. |
