Home Featured Discussion Depression Test Yourself

In this discussion: 9/15/00 We're finishing out the week with Feature Links. 9/14/00 We asked: What part of arthritis is the hardest for you to handle emotionally? Find out what gets us down! And read about our best Weapons Against Depression. 9/13/00 Advice from the "Experts" and Ron Griffin talks about finding a good metal health professional in Good Doc/Bad Doc 9/12/00 Depression Information from the NIMH Wondering if you might need to seek professional help? Take this Self Test from the National Policy and Resource Center on Women and Aging. And the transcript from tonight's Depression & Arthritis Chat with Walt Hanks has been posted. 9/11/00 Color Me Blue and Ron's Story

Test Yourself
From Identifying and Coping with Depression, National Policy and Resource Center on Women and Aging

Below is a self-evaluation questionnaire often used by doctors to diagnose depression in their older patients. It is a simple and reliable way to evaluate feelings on your own. If you complete the questionnaire and find that you have a score higher than 5, the next step should be to make an appointment with you doctor.

Bring the questionnaire with you and show it to him or her. This is a good way to "break the ice" and bring feelings into the discussion. Most primary care doctors should be able to refer you to a mental health professional, if necessary, or treat the problem him/ herself.

The most common treatments for depression are professional counseling, antidepression medication, or a combination of the two. Psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and some members of the clergy offer counseling or psychotherapy. Group therapy can also be beneficial. Antidepressant medication, which can only be prescribed by a medical doctor, can help elevate mood and sustain it while a patient is confronting underlying problems with the help of a counselor.

Remember, depression is a highly treatable disorder.

National Policy and Resource Center on Women and Aging
Page last updated on September 10, 2000