How to Get a Depression Screening

Depression is a serious illness and many people suffer from this medical condition. Depression is when you are feeling down, hopeless and sad for 2 weeks or longer. There are different treatment options available for depression, but first you must confirm that you actually have this illness. So, it is a good idea to take a depression screening in order to learn your status. A depression screening is a questionnaire that gives you insight on whether or not you have depression and the severity of your symptoms. It is important to get a depression screening as soon as possible if you think you are suffering from this illness.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Identify your symptoms and keep track of them. In order to be diagnosed with depression, you must have certain symptoms everyday for at least a 2 week period. The most common symptoms for depression includes persistent sadness, loneliness, irritability, low self-esteem, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, negative thoughts, weight gain or loss, suicidal thoughts and feeling discouraged. However, you do not need to have all of these symptoms in order to be diagnosed with depression.
2. Meet with a mental health professional. A licensed mental health professional, such as a counselor, therapist or psychologist can give you a depression screening and talk to you about what steps you need to take next. Your medical doctor or family physician can refer you to a local mental health professional or you can speak to family members or friends for recommendations.
3. Stop by a local mental health center, medical clinic, hospital or family service agency for a depression screening. Quite often, these types of facilities can give you a depression screening and provide you with the proper guidance and referral sources that you need.
4. Take an online depression screening. There are a variety of websites that offer free and confidential depression screenings online, such as depression-screening.org, DepressionScreen.org and PsychCentral. These sites allow you to take the depression screening in privacy and at any location where you have access to the internet.
5. Visit a local library or bookstore for information on depression screenings. Many bookstores and libraries have an abundance of materials and resources on depression. You may find a variety of depression screening tests at both locations. Be sure to ask someone for assistance if you have problems locating the information or if you questions about the materials.