Understanding Everything About Depression Tests

Mental health disorders, including depression, are often underestimated. Even though depression can be a big problem if not treated quickly. To be treated as soon as possible, you need to recognize the symptoms of depression and do a depression test to be sure. The main purpose of the depression test is to measure the extent of depression experienced by a person. Thus, doctors and psychologists can plan treatment steps that are appropriate to the patient's condition.

Recognize the Symptoms of Depression First

You need to understand that actually many people who are experiencing depression, but do not realize it. It happened because of lack of understanding related to depressive symptoms. Symptoms of depression are not only in the form of prolonged sadness. Anxiety and low self-esteem, despair, and loss of interest in activities are also part of the signs that a person is depressed. Not only that, there are also some depressive symptoms you need to know about, including:

• Easily angry and offended.
• Having a sleep disorder.
• Experience a change in appetite.
• Feeling guilty about yourself.
• Likes to be alone, avoiding social contact with people around.
• Having difficulty fostering relationships with the surrounding environment, both within the family, friends, and households.

Even in severe circumstances, depression can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Benefits of Depression Tests

Because depressive symptoms are so diverse and cannot always be realized, experts have compiled depression tests that can be done independently, or assisted by medical professionals such as psychologists and psychiatrists. Basically, the depression test is made as a way for psychologists or psychiatrists to know how a person's psychological condition is, including how the risk is for depression. Depression tests are generally in the form of a questionnaire to collect as much information from patients as possible. However, you need to understand that this depression test is not a step to determine a definitive diagnosis. Depression test is just an early detection effort to see how much the patient's risk level for depression. After getting an overview of psychological conditions through depression test results, you need to consult further with a psychologist or psychiatrist. The goal is to make a more thorough examination, to determine the diagnosis of depression. That way, psychologists and psychiatrists can provide the treatment needed.

Examples of Types of Depression Tests

Given the importance of prevention and treatment of depression early on, both experienced by children and adults, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia provides several depression test programs to help detect early depression. There are various types of depression tests that you can take independently and for free. Here are some of the depression tests that can be accessed online from the Indonesian Ministry of Health:

Geriatric Depression Scale 15

Geriatric Depression Scale is one of the instruments most often used to diagnose depression in old age. This depression test in it has 15 multiple choice questions consisting of various instruments related to a condition or symptom that you might experience.

Self Reporting Questionnaire 20

This depression test is among the most commonly done, because it can be done by all ages. The questions in it are very related to complaints and inconveniences that might have felt or bothered you during the past 30 days. If you or those around you appear to be experiencing symptoms of depression, it is recommended to try the depression test. Answer each question on the depression test honestly, so that the results are accurate. If the test results indicate that you are depressed, don't delay to ask a psychologist or psychiatrist for help.