Am I Depressed or Just Sad? Take this Quiz to Find Out

Everybody gets the blues from time to time. But, sometimes it’s tough to tell whether it’s just a funk or something more. If the question “am I depressed” has crossed your mind, take this quick quiz to find out more about your mental wellness.

What Exactly is Depression?

Depression is a medical condition that can have devastating effects if not properly treated.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn’t worth living.”

7 Signs of Depression

When you are feeling down, it’s natural to wonder “am I depressed?” However, depression is a much deeper problem than mere sadness.

It typically includes serious symptoms like these:

1. Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness or hopelessness
2. Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
3. Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities
4. Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
5. Tiredness and lack of energy
6. Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
7. Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

10 Short Questions to Assess your Mental Health

This quick quiz, which was prepared by Mental Health America, will help you answer the question “am I depressed?”

It asks participants to think back about how they have felt in certain situations during the last two weeks. For each question, decide if you have been bothered by the following problems in one of four ways: “not at all,” “several days,” “more than half the days,” or “nearly every day.”

1. Little interest or pleasure in doing things
2. Feeling down, depressed or hopeless
3. Trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much
4. Feeling tired or having little energy
5. Poor appetite or overeating
6. Feeling bad about yourself – or that you are a failure or have let yourself or your family down
7. Trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching television
8. Moving or speaking so slowly that other people could have noticed
9. Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself
10. If you checked off any problems, how difficult have these problems made it for you at work, home or with other people?

What if the Answer to the Question ‘Am I Depressed’ is Yes?

Your answers to these questions can help you determine if you are just having a bout of the blues or suffering from real depression.

However, this quiz is only meant to be an educational tool. Consult a physician if you have any further questions.

If you think you might be at risk, make an appointment to see a medical professional today. Advantage Care Health Centers has a team of mental and behavioral health care professional who aims to restore hope, while guiding our patients toward their wellness goals.