While I’m not aware of a blood or urine test for depression, there are a great number of evaluations that can be taken to assess your mental health. Here are several of the ones I like best.
- Depressed Test.com will test you on six types of depression: Major depression, Dysthymia, Bipolar disorder, Cyclothymia, Postpartum and Seasonal Affective.
- Netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/interactivetests/goldberg.php is the depression test developed by psychiatrist Ivan K. Goldberg to see whether or not you have depression. You can also use the scale to see if you are making progress in your treatment. Here’s a link to Dr. Goldberg’s website https://psycom.net/depression-test
- Mayoclinic.com/health/depression/MH00103_D is a test to see if you have the symptoms of depression that could indicate you have depression.
- Webmd.com/depression/guide/depression-tests shows the types of tests your doctor may use in your mental and physical evaluation. Some tests aren’t used to diagnose depression but rather to rule out other serious medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
There are things to look for to indicate that depression may be present. A key test for depression is feeling badly although you have no logical reason for feeling that way. I would say that’s the best indicator of a legitimate mental illness.
Sadness is a short-lived, normal reaction to a specific, although usually unwanted, life event. By contrast, depression is a constant, long-lasting, abnormal reaction to life.
Sadness is not depression, but because sadness can develop into depression, it is wise for you to seek support and begin talking about sad feelings with a trusted friend, a family member, or enroll in some therapy as soon as a mood problem is detected.
But if you are not ready to talk about it with anyone, at the very least, if you’ve been feeling sad for more than a few weeks you should begin journaling or recording feelings so as to begin to express and acknowledge these feelings in some cathartic, healing way.
If too much time passes with no catharsis, that’s when the test for depression may well get a passing grade and professional help should be sought. There’s also concern if normal cheer up techniques fail to lift your mood.
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