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Depression Test

Before we go any further, let's see how you would score on a widely used test of depression. Below you will see a test developed by Lenore Radloff at the Center for Epidemiological Studies of the National Institute of Mental Health. Please note that this test, called the CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale), is included for demonstration purposes only; in the context of this module it is not meant as a tool to diagnose depression.

Predicting Depression

Tests such as the one you just took are useful in helping you determine whether you have depressive symptoms. But remember that mood swings are normal and that almost everyone occasionally experiences some signs of depression. What really matters is the frequency and severity of the symptoms, especially if they impair your ability to function effectively in your daily life.

Sometimes depression can be traced directly to a person's recent life experiences. For example, we can predict that people who experience one or more of the following events will show depressive symptoms, at least temporarily.

This list of traumatic life events is by no means complete, but it makes the point that some depressed people have a good reason to be depressed. People who experience traumatic events such as these may experience grief and other depressive symptoms for a period of months or even years.