All over the world, there are millions of people who suffer from mental health issues, and as such, the search for ‘How depressed am I?’ quiz options has been steadily rising over the years. At first glance, a digital quiz to see if you’re depressed may seem like a great idea since reaching out for traditional help can be daunting.
However, a depression mental health test alone can only do so much. In order to get more information about your unique situation, you would have to speak to professionals who can actively provide you with assistance. This is where our telehealth service at Mosh comes into play.
We understand that getting support isn’t easy, and we’re proud of you for making an effort to better yourself. On our platform, you can get personalised advice from our AHPRA-registered doctors. If your situation calls for it, we can also recommend a comprehensive treatment plan that’s catered to your specific needs.
Get in touch with us whenever you’re ready; we’ll always be here to lend a listening ear.
Although you’ve been wanting to answer a depression test after looking for a ‘How depressed am I?’ quiz on the web, it would help if you better understand this mental health issue first.
There’s no doubt that everyone feels a little down and out every once in a while, but it’s important to note that depression is a psychological disorder that’s different from just sadness.
Depression (also commonly referred to as major depressive disorder or clinical depression) is described as a consistent feeling of melancholia, a low mood that doesn’t go away. This condition can impact one’s thoughts, emotions, actions, and well-being as a whole. Similar to other medical and psychological illnesses, it must be addressed with the appropriate methods.[1]
After gaining more knowledge on ‘What is depression?’ you can now focus on how it works and the causes behind it.
Seeing that those with a depressive disorder have persistent low feelings, they could feel like they’re carrying a heavy weight on their shoulders, to the point that they’d have a hard time getting through each day. This includes small tasks like brushing your teeth all the way to larger matters like work or school projects.[2]
Research suggests that there are complexities to what causes depression. It’s not just your body responding to chemical imbalances[3] but it is also a reaction to a range of socio-psychological elements. Your depression can even develop from impactful points in your life, such as traumatic childhood experiences and even a painful loss during adolescence.[4]
After gaining more knowledge on ‘What is depression?’ you can now focus on how it works and the causes behind it.
Seeing that those with a depressive disorder have persistent low feelings, they could feel like they’re carrying a heavy weight on their shoulders, to the point that they’d have a hard time getting through each day. This includes small tasks like brushing your teeth all the way to larger matters like work or school projects.[2]
Research suggests that there are complexities to what causes depression. It’s not just your body responding to chemical imbalances[3] but it is also a reaction to a range of socio-psychological elements. Your depression can even develop from impactful points in your life, such as traumatic childhood experiences and even a painful loss during adolescence.[4]
What are the symptoms of depression?
Keep in mind that questions like ‘What are the symptoms of depression?’ go hand in hand with your search for an online ‘How depressed am I?’ quiz. This is because testing depression closely relates to the signs commonly seen in people with this mental health disorder.
To better familiarise yourself with the symptoms, you can view the following behavioural, physical, and psychological signs.[5]
Behavioural
Sleep behaviour is affected, as people with depression can find themselves staying up late due to sleeplessness, waking up in the early hours of the morning, or oversleeping. There is also a loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities such as hobbies and social gatherings. In more severe instances, there would be suicidal tendencies, such as attempts to take their life.
Physical
Sudden weight gain or loss can happen as a result of drastic appetite fluctuations. In addition to this, those suffering from depression could have aches and pains around their body, from digestion issues all the way to cramps and other types of physical discomfort that won’t go away after medication or that don’t have a clear physical cause.
Psychological
This would include thoughts and feelings related to sadness, unimportance, desperation, and helplessness. In other cases, there could also be strong emotions of frustration and anger directed at a situation.
The truth is that a ‘How depressed am I?’ quiz can only be accurate to a certain extent. While some ‘Do I have depression?’ test options can be somewhat accurate, others may not be as reliable. It ultimately depends on the questions themselves and how they were designed.
With this, it comes as no surprise that self-report measures (like a ‘How depressed am I?’ quiz) are not as accurate as consultations conducted by trained professionals and doctors. This is because people often have a difficult time accurately assessing their own mental health.
Additionally, online quizzes may not be able to take into account all of the possible symptoms of depression or even alternative conditions that may present similar symptoms, such as bipolar disorder or perhaps even anxiety disorders.[6]
Instead of taking a ‘Do I have depression?’ quiz and risking self-diagnosis or misdiagnosis, talk to a doctor. Mosh doctors review your history, symptoms, and condition before providing custom and evidence-based advice.
Being keen on topics such as ‘how to know if you have depression’, you’re most probably wondering if you can get diagnosed with an ‘Am I depressed?’ online test alone.
As mentioned, the accuracy of a ‘How depressed am I?’ quiz can vary depending on a number of factors (wording of the questions, incorporation of symptoms, and overall comprehensiveness). For that reason, the sole purpose of an online test is to give you a general idea of whether or not you may be experiencing some symptoms of depression.
However, the bottom line is that these online tests are not a substitute for a professional diagnosis from a doctor. If you’re concerned about your mental health, the best course of action would be to speak to a professional.[7]
With Mosh, you can share your concerns and experiences with Australian doctors completely online and from the comfort of your own home.
If you’ve searched ‘What does depression feel like?’ and found that you have similar experiences, it may be time to speak with a doctor who can assess your situation and provide you with a diagnosis when possible. Your doctor may ask about the symptoms you present, your medical history, your family history, other conditions you may have, and more.
At Mosh, you can easily connect with a doctor. Start by answering our short mental health questionnaire. Within twenty-four hours, a Mosh doctor will reach out to you. You can speak with them over text, phone call, or video chat. This means that you can have peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to go through challenging and manual processes at a physical clinic. No matter where you are in Australia, our service can give you the personalised mental health advice you need.
Aside from therapy, we can also prescribe a custom medical treatment plan if necessary. If your Mosh doctor suggests this, you can opt to use our subscription model so that you won’t have to worry about top-ups. We want you to have an easier time staying on track with your plan, and that’s why we’ll deliver directly to your door.
Start or continue your journey to better mental health with us at Mosh.
