A little clarity. A first step.
Depression test
Make sense of what you are experiencing.
Depression can affect mood, interest, energy and daily functioning.
01
Start the self-check
Consider your current and past experiences. Follow any time reference in each question.
For adults aged 18+. Choose one response to each question. You can review or clear your answers.
- Have low mood or feelings of emptiness been difficult to shift?
- Have you lost interest in activities that usually matter to you?
- Have changes in energy, sleep or concentration made everyday tasks harder?
- Have these experiences affected work, home life or relationships?
- Have these patterns persisted or returned despite attempts to manage them?
02
Understanding your reflection
The list helps organize concerns for a professional conversation. It does not calculate severity or the probability of a condition.
Seek support if these experiences concern you or affect daily life, regardless of your answers.
What this self-check cannot establish
This reflection does not use the PHQ-9 or its scoring. A clinician considers duration, health and any history of elevated mood.
03
Finding suitable support
A GP or qualified health professional can assess your experiences, their history and impact, and possible physical or medication-related explanations. If you are exploring private care, THE BALANCE can explain its assessment process and suitability. A checklist cannot decide whether you need outpatient or residential care.
Explore related care
Private Depression Treatment →
No account or email is needed. Answers are processed in this browser and are not submitted or stored by this assessment. A later inquiry is separate.
Questions about this assessment
Can this assessment diagnose me?
No. This original checklist has not been clinically validated. It helps you describe experiences, but cannot confirm or rule out a condition. The topic-specific limitations above also apply.
Is it free, and who sees my answers?
It is free and requires no email. Your answers stay in this browser and are not sent to admissions. You choose whether to make a separate inquiry and what to share.
Does this mean I need residential treatment?
No. The appropriate care setting depends on a full assessment, physical health, daily functioning and existing support. Your questionnaire answers alone cannot decide this.
Evidence and sources
The source supports the background explanation. It does not validate this original checklist. Clinical and language review are pending.
