| A depression test can be beneficial if you are | | | | results - reliable. It would not be a good thing to have a |
| experiencing depression symptoms and wonder if you | | | | depression test indicate you are depressed when you |
| might have a form of clinical depression. There are a | | | | are not or vice versa - that you are not depressed |
| lot of depression tests online. However, when taking | | | | when in fact you really are. In the latter case, a |
| one it is imperative to ensure that it is legitimate and | | | | misperception can lead to the person suffering |
| reliable. As you can imagine, there are many "rogue" | | | | needlessly and never getting the help that they need! |
| tests out there that were not professionally developed. | | | | I have used several tests in my practice and have |
| In which case, there are only a few tests online that | | | | found some available online that are legitimate and |
| are legitimate and worth your consideration so | | | | meet the standards. With some research you can find |
| proceed with caution when taking these tests. In most | | | | legitimate tests as well. Take one of them or take all |
| cases, the tests are designed to test for a specific | | | | of them. It doesn't really matter. The key when taking |
| type of depression such as Geriatric depression, | | | | a test is to use the results as an indication as to |
| Bipolar Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder | | | | whether you might be depressed. It's important to note |
| Personally, in my practice, I use the Beck's Depression | | | | that these tests are not to be used for formal |
| Inventory. It is an "oldie but goody" and was very well | | | | diagnosis. Rather they are simply an indicator as to |
| developed and is a great diagnostic tool to determine if | | | | what might be going on. |
| my clients are depressed and, if they are, how serious | | | | If you feel you might be clinically depressed then you |
| it might be. The Beck Depression Inventory is | | | | are encouraged to seek out a professional that give |
| protected by a copyright so you will not find it legally | | | | you a proper diagnosis and, together, you can |
| available on the web. Rather, only mental health | | | | determine the best treatment plan so you can feel |
| professionals can administer and score the test. This is | | | | better as soon as possible. Did you know that over 19 |
| important because you don't want to be misdiagnosed. | | | | million Americans suffer with depression and, of that 19 |
| When a depression test is legitimate it is a great test | | | | million only 30% ever get the help they need? What's |
| and proven to be statistically relevant in determining | | | | more is that once they begin treatment 80% of them |
| whether the test taker may or may not be depressed. | | | | will feel better in just a couple of weeks! Depression is |
| The key to a legitimate test is to ensure that it meets | | | | very treatable. The key is early detection and an |
| the "Standards for Education and Psychological | | | | appropriate treatment plan and you'll be well on your |
| Testing". This way you are ensured that the test is | | | | way to recovery! |
| professionally developed, statistically relevant and the | | | | |