Depression Test: 7 Best Diagnosis Ways To Assess Mental Health

Are you feeling down or struggling to find joy in your everyday life? It's essential to prioritize your mental health and understand if you might be experiencing depression.

Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, and a range of physical and emotional symptoms. Take this quick and easy depression test today to gain insights into your emotional well-being.

7 Depression Test for Diagnosis

Depression diagnosis is crucial as it helps individuals understand their condition, seek appropriate treatment, and improve their overall mental well-being.

Here is a list of all common depression test for diagnosis:

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)
Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)
Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)
Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS)
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)

Depression Diagnosis - Drlogy

1. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

Accurate self-report measure for assessing depression severity.
Consists of 21 items that evaluate various emotional and behavioral symptoms.
This depression test is widely used and scientifically validated for reliable results.

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)	Details
Also Known As	BDI, Beck Depression Scale
Purpose	Assess depression severity
Sample	Individuals aged 13 and above
Preparation	None
Procedure	Self-report questionnaire with 21 items
Test Timing	5-10 minutes
Test Price (INR)	500-1000
Result Value	Total score indicating depression severity
Normal Value	0-13: Minimal, 14-19: Mild, 20-28: Moderate, 29-63: Severe
Accuracy	Scientifically validated and reliable
Interpretation	Higher scores indicate greater depressive symptoms

Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) assesses depression severity. It's a validated 21-item questionnaire, providing reliable results for effective depression diagnosis and treatment.

2. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

Clinically validated questionnaire with 9 items to assess depression severity.
This depression test measures key symptoms such as sadness, sleep problems, appetite changes, and loss of interest.
Proven reliability and effectiveness in screening, diagnosing, and monitoring depression.

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)	Details
Also Known As	PHQ-9
Purpose	Assess severity of depressive symptoms
Sample	Individuals aged 18 and above
Preparation	None
Procedure	Self-report questionnaire with 9 items
Test Timing	3-5 minutes
Test Price (INR)	200-500
Result Value	Total score indicating depression severity
Normal Value	0-4: None, 5-9: Mild, 10-14: Moderate, ≥15: Moderate to severe
Accuracy	Scientifically validated and reliable
Interpretation	Higher scores indicate greater depressive symptoms

Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) assesses depression severity. It's a validated 9-item questionnaire, providing quick and reliable results for effective depression diagnosis and treatment.

3. Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)

Widely used clinician-administered questionnaires to evaluate depressive symptoms.
Consists of 17 items assessing mood, guilt, suicidal ideation, sleep, and more.
Scientifically validated tool for accurate and comprehensive depression test assessment of severity.

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)	Details
Also Known As	HDRS
Purpose	Measure depression severity
Sample	Individuals aged 18 and above
Preparation	None
Procedure	Clinician-administered questionnaire
Test Timing	Typically 15-30 minutes
Test Price (INR)	1000-2000
Result Value	Total score indicating depression severity
Normal Value	0-7: Normal, 8-13: Mild, 14-18: Moderate, ≥19: Severe
Accuracy	Scientifically validated and reliable
Interpretation	Accurate interpretation helps determine level of depression

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) assesses depression in older adults. It's a reliable questionnaire with a total score indicating severity for depression diagnosis.

4. Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS)

Clinician-administered questionnaire with 10 items to measure the severity of depressive symptoms.
Specifically designed to assess symptoms such as sadness, inner tension, sleep, appetite, and concentration.
This depression test is scientifically validated for its reliability and effectiveness in evaluating depression severity.

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)	Details
Also Known As	HDRS, Hamilton Scale
Purpose	Assess severity of depressive symptoms
Sample	Individuals aged 18 and above
Preparation	None
Procedure	Clinician-administered questionnaire
Test Timing	15-30 minutes
Test Price (INR)	1000-2000
Result Value	Total score indicating depression severity
Normal Value	0-7: Normal, 8-13: Mild, 14-18: Moderate, ≥19: Severe
Accuracy	Scientifically validated and reliable
Interpretation	Higher scores indicate greater depressive symptoms

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) is a depression test that assesses depression severity. It's a clinician-administered questionnaire providing reliable results for effective depression diagnosis and treatment.

5. Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS)

Self-report questionnaire with 20 items to measure the presence and severity of depressive symptoms.
Assesses symptoms like mood, sleep patterns, appetite changes, and cognitive impairment.
This depression test is scientifically validated for reliable self-assessment of depression and monitoring treatment progress.

Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS)	Details
Also Known As	SDS, Zung Depression Scale
Purpose	Assess self-reported depressive symptoms
Sample	Individuals aged 18 and above
Preparation	None
Procedure	Self-report questionnaire with 20 items
Test Timing	5-10 minutes
Test Price (INR)	300-800
Result Value	Total score indicating depression severity
Normal Value	0-9: None, 10-19: Mild, 20-59: Moderate to severe, 60 and above: Very severe
Accuracy	Scientifically validated and reliable
Interpretation	Higher scores indicate greater depressive symptoms

Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) assesses depressive symptoms. It's a reliable 20-item self-report questionnaire for effective depression diagnosis and treatment.

6. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)

Clinically validated questionnaire specifically designed for assessing depression in older adults.
Consists of 15-30 items, depending on the version, to evaluate mood, motivation and social interaction.
This depression test is scientifically proven to be effective in identifying and monitoring depression in the geriatric population.

Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS)	Details
Also Known As	GDS, Geriatric Depression Inventory
Purpose	Assess depressive symptoms in older adults
Sample	Individuals aged 60 and above
Preparation	None
Procedure	Self-report or interview questionnaire
Test Timing	5-10 minutes
Test Price (INR)	400-1000
Result Value	Total score indicating depression severity
Normal Value	0-4: Normal, 5-9: Mild, 10-19: Moderate, ≥20: Severe
Accuracy	Scientifically validated and reliable
Interpretation	Higher scores indicate greater depressive symptoms

Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a depression test that assesses depression in older adults. It's a reliable questionnaire with a total score indicating severity.

7. Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)

Widely used self-report questionnaire with 20 items to measure depressive symptoms.
This depression test assesses various domains including mood, sleep, appetite, and overall well-being.
Scientifically validated for reliable screening and monitoring of depression in diverse populations.

Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)	Details
Also Known As	CES-D
Purpose	Assess depressive symptoms in diverse populations
Sample	Individuals aged 18 and above
Preparation	None
Procedure	Self-report questionnaire with 20 items
Test Timing	10-20 minutes
Test Price (INR)	300-700
Result Value	Total score indicating depression severity
Normal Value	Varies
Accuracy	Scientifically validated and reliable
Interpretation	Higher scores indicate greater depressive symptoms

Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) is a depression test that assesses depressive symptoms. It's a reliable 20-item questionnaire for effective treatment.

Depression Assessment Tests Comparison

Test Name	Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)	Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)	Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS)
Also Known As	BDI	PHQ-9	HDRS
Purpose	Assess depression severity	Assess severity of depressive symptoms	Measure depression severity
Sample	Individuals aged 13 and above	Individuals aged 18 and above	Individuals aged 18 and above
Preparation	None	None	None
Procedure	Self-report questionnaire with 21 items	Self-report questionnaire with 9 items	Clinician-administered questionnaire
Test Timing	5-10 minutes	3-5 minutes	Typically 15-30 minutes
Test Price (INR)	500-1000	200-500	1000-2000
Result Value	Total score indicating depression severity	Total score indicating depression severity	Total score indicating depression severity
Normal Value	0-13: Minimal, 14-19: Mild, 20-28: Moderate, 29-63: Severe	0-4: None, 5-9: Mild, 10-14: Moderate, ≥15: Moderate to severe	0-7: Normal, 8-13: Mild, 14-18: Moderate, ≥19: Severe
Accuracy	Scientifically validated & reliable	Scientifically validated & reliable	Scientifically validated & reliable
Interpretation	Higher scores indicate greater depressive symptoms	Accurate interpretation helps determine level of depression	Accurate interpretation helps determine level of depression

*Test Price, range and timing may vary as per location, lab type, and procedure.

BDI, PHQ-9, and HDRS are reliable assessment tools for measuring depression severity. Accurate interpretation aids in effective depression test and treatment.

Depression Differential Diagnosis

Similar Disease	Differentiating Factors
Major Depressive Disorder	Duration, severity, and persistence of depressive symptoms
Bipolar Disorder	Presence of manic or hypomanic episodes
Generalized Anxiety Disorder	Focus of excessive worry and presence of physical symptoms
Schizophrenia	Presence of psychotic symptoms and disorganized thinking
Substance-Induced Depressive Disorder	Temporal relationship with substance use and withdrawal symptoms
Thyroid Disorders	Presence of additional symptoms related to thyroid dysfunction
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome	Presence of unexplained fatigue and associated symptoms

Differential diagnosis of depression includes major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, substance-induced depression, thyroid disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Accurate depression test is crucial for effective treatment.

Best Doctor for Depression

Specialist	Description
Psychiatrist	Specializes in mental health and depression treatment
Psychologist	Provides counseling and therapy for depression
Primary Care Physician	Offers initial evaluation and treatment for depression
Neurologist	Deals with depression related to neurological conditions
Geriatric Psychiatrist	Focuses on depression in older adults

The best doctor for depression can be a psychiatrist. However, the best choice depends on the patient's age, severity, and underlying conditions.

7 Interesting Facts of Depression Diagnosis

Here are 7 Interesting Facts of Depression Diagnosis.

Depression diagnosis is based on specific criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5).
The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) are commonly used self-report measures for assessing depression.
Depression can coexist with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety or substance abuse.
Physical health conditions, such as thyroid disorders or chronic pain, can contribute to depressive symptoms.
The presence of a family history of depression increases the risk of developing the condition.
Depression diagnosis involves considering the duration, frequency, and intensity of symptoms.
A comprehensive assessment may include interviews, psychological tests, and discussions with loved ones to gather information for an accurate depression test.

Conclusion

Depression test, including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), are valuable tools in assessing symptoms and severity. These tests aid in identifying depression and determining appropriate treatment for individuals.

Reference

Major depressive disorder - Wikipedia [1].
The diagnosis of depression: current and emerging methods - NCBI [2].
Depression Diagnosis and Screening: What Doctors Look ... - WHO [3].

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Depression Test FAQ

How does a mental health professional diagnose depression?

A mental health professional typically diagnoses depression by conducting a comprehensive assessment that includes evaluating the patient's symptoms, medical history, and any potential underlying causes or contributing factors. They may also use standardized questionnaires or diagnostic criteria, such as those outlined in the DSM-5, to aid in the diagnosis process.

Are there different types of depression, and do they require different diagnostic approaches?

Yes, there are different types of depression, such as major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), seasonal affective disorder, and postpartum depression, among others. While the core symptoms of depression may be similar across these types, variations in duration, timing, and specific symptoms may require different diagnostic approaches. Mental health professionals consider these factors and utilize specific criteria to accurately diagnose the specific type of depression a person may be experiencing.

When should I seek professional help if I suspect I may have depression?

If you suspect you may have depression, it is recommended to seek professional help as soon as possible. It is advisable to reach out to a mental health professional if you experience persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite or sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, or thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Seeking professional help allows for early intervention and appropriate treatment to improve your well-being.