To ask you to take this short NHS depression self assessment test?

[LisaF8]

I took it and my results wasn't great but I don't know if I should rely on these tests. Life has been so tricky recently and I want to make a change but I'm stuck and don't know how. I need help for sure but want to know what others think about this test? Should I go to the docs and say I done this test what's next?! Or what should I do ?

www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/depression.aspx

They’re a diagnostic tool - next step is a chat with your GP if your scores are showing you may be depressed. Hope you’re doing ok

Is it for real tho ? I mean if this says I'm depressed than I am depressed?

Hi Lisa, do see the GP, face to face is a better medium
The test isn’t a diagnosis it’s simply a starting point,get the conversation going
If you’re struggling to express it,or worry you’ll miss stuff out write it down or print the test
Wishing you all the best. Depression is a very treatable illness and there is a range of treatment options

You could go to the doctors to talk through your feelings.

I have found that recording your emotions and feeling daily is useful to track your moods. Work can set me off, as can family arguments and stresses. There are lots of decent mood apps that can make you question what it is exactly that you’re feeling.

As an example, feeling a bit hopeless one day because you’ve had a crap day at work doesn’t necessarily equal being depressed. Or not sleeping well one night, but then working out you’ve drank 8 cups of coffee, doesn’t mean you’re depressed.

Speak to a doctor, but also consider some of the following:

• exercise
• writing down your thoughts
• talking to a really close friend or family member
• eat healthier
• count 5 blessings a day when you wake up.

I think there was a thread about this or very similar tests in the past, with lots of people who said they were absolutely not depressed in general scoring high, because of normal life stuff or a bit of a shitty few weeks etc.

I happen to score 13 at the moment. I do have a diagnosis of depression, though, although it comes and goes in severity, and I'm really not feeling all that bad right now, comparatively.

Depression isn't a clear-cut yes/no illness. This test would just be indicative of problems, it's not a diagnostic tool. You need to speak to your GP as your next step.

I think if you are scoring highly then it can't hurt to speak to your GP. It was through doing those tests that I realised that I had a problem and after some intense therapy I have now come out the other side. I'm so glad that I did those tests but initially asking for help was so so hard.

I didn’t mean my post to be “blasé” about depression but I don’t necessarily see that tool as a diagnosis for depression.

Talk to someone.

I’ve found this website really helpful

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/

According to the test it's "very likely" I'm suffering from depression. Now insomnia, I've definitely got that, but depression, no.
If only things were that simple - complex psychological issues diagnosed in sixty seconds with nine simple questions.

My score is 11. I could be depressed.

I should add a disclaimer that I've scored positive for every depression test since I was 12. I fall at least at the question: do you feel a failure?. I don't just feel it, I am a failure in many things, it's not just a feeling . I have a talent for fucking things up. Doesn't mean that I mind it that much though. Tired? Yes, due to health issues, but they don't ask that, just if I'm tired.

If you feel that you might need some help with your mental health then please see a GP. You don't need a test for that.

You should definitely speak to your GP, not least because some of those things aren’t just symptoms of depression - quite a few of them are symptoms of other conditions like hypothyroidism. I would make an appointment.

The NHS tool you've linked to is very clear that it's only a starting point and a GP visit is highly recommended. The MIND website that a PP posted is a good one, but please pay a visit to your doc to start that conversation. Hope you find a resolution to this, but don't self diagnose!

As others have said, the PHQ9 isn’t a diagnostic tool, it’s a way of gauging your mood changes over a specific period of time. Pkease do speak to your GP if you feel you are depressed.

All this test does is ask you to think about how you are thinking and feeling right now. If you have gone through a number of stressful events (e.g. a bad week at work, trouble with the family, etc.) a high score is perfectly normal. If you feel like that over a longer period of time, with no obvious stressful situations/events/activities, then it would be worth having a conversation with your GP.

I just scored 13, though feel pretty positive overall right now. I do have diagnosed depression and am on medication, though.

@explodingkitten Ignore me if this is an intrusive question, but what makes you a failure?

If it helps, I scored a 5 - I do have mild insomnia and tiredness but I think many moms could say the same thing. If you’re worried, please chat to your GP. They will take you seriously; don’t be afraid to ask for help. x

I didn’t mean to get it wrong - I used the wrong phrase sorry :( I meant it’s like an indicator or a staring point or something. Sorry :(

Poorly worded questions especially Q1 in my opinion.

Agree with pp some of the questions are poorly worded. I scored 20 I’m not depressed however I’m exhausted from having a job and 3 kids that don’t sleep. If I went to the doctors or called 111 as suggested I’d simply be told to exercise.

My oh who suffers from depression quite severely has repeatedly been to the doctors asking for help and each time has just been told to join a waiting list for counselling. What’s the point in these tests if the nhs then don’t help the people who need it?

I scored 11 - in my case it's mostly child-induced sleep deprivation. But if you're scoring highly then it is a good indicator that you should talk to someone.

It's not always easy to recognise you're suffering from depression. It's not always about feeling obviously down, more about not feeling enthusiastic about anything in the future, and feeling a failure in yourself. And you kid yourself that you're stressed, and that it'll all be better as soon you've got through whatever the current problem is.

Once you've been diagnosed once, it's easier to recognise the signs, and catch yourself before you sink too far. Or even just recognise it as depression rather than a failing in yourself - even that lessens the impact.

I'll be honest, OP. I am not going to take the test because I don't believe or suspect I am depressed. We should be careful of the power of suggestion.

Take care.

I did it and scored 27. I am most definitely not depressed, I am just exhausted because I have young kids 🤣
I have suffered from depression in the past though and I think I remember taking a similar test then and getting a similar score.
If you suspect you might be suffering from depression book an appointment to see your GP. Remember too that even with depression it is possible to have days when you feel fine.