Depression test

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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  How do I get tested for depression?

  Talkspace offers free depression tests to help you understand your symptoms of depression. For a clinical depression diagnosis, it is important to see a licensed therapist or mental health professional. During your initial appointment with a Talkspace therapist, they will likely ask you several questions about your mood and how it impacts your daily functioning in order to determine if a diagnosis for depression is applicable to you.

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  Is it possible to diagnose yourself with depression?

  No, medical diagnoses for depression can only be assessed by a healthcare professional. You can identify aspects of depression within yourself (e.g. feeling down and hopeless, having a hard time concentrating, a noticeable decrease in your energy level, thoughts of death or suicide, etc.), and all of these concerns should be addressed with your therapist so they can better identify the correct diagnosis and treatment plan for you.

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  How do doctors test for depression?

  To assess your symptoms of depression, a clinical interview is conducted by a professional, such as a medical doctor, licensed mental health therapist, psychiatrist, or nurse practitioner. The test usually includes gathering information from you about the depression symptoms you’re experiencing.

  Providers may also choose to utilize a variety of different psychological measures, like the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), or other similar forms. 
  

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  What is a clinical depression test?

  A test for clinical depression helps provide a better understanding of the scope and impact of your depressed mood. The test includes a scale on which to grade various depression symptoms. Your provider will determine your total score, and the total score combined with a clinical interview determines your diagnosis.