Is Depression Affecting Me?

Screening for depression

The questions a doctor might ask to check whether or not you might be affected by depression are*:

1. During the last month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed or hopeless?
2. During the last month, have you often been bothered by having little interest or pleasure in doing things?

Yes to both?

If your answer is yes to either question then look more closely at the list of warning signs. Think back over the most recent two weeks and record how often you have experienced each of the warning signs relevant to you. Click here for a printable checklist.

Most days for two weeks or more

If you have experienced:

• a persistently sad, low, anxious or empty mood, plus
• at least three more of the warning signs,
• on most days over the last two weeks,

then it is very likely that depression is affecting your life.

See the next page on changes depression brings for how to make a more detailed assessment of how depression is affecting you.

Take it seriously and get help

It is important to take this seriously and to look at how best to tackle depression and find a way forward. Remember, only a doctor or other healthcare professional can officially diagnose depression. If you are at all concerned it would be best to seek professional advice. To find out a bit more about medical diagnosis of depression, follow the clinical definitions link.

Get help immediately for suicidal thinking

If you have found yourself considering acting on thoughts of death or suicide, even if you have not experienced any of the other warning signs, then it is very important to take appropriate action at once. Tell someone else and get help (see desperate right now? for ideas).

Next:

Links