Test I

Disorder	Your Score
Major Depression:	High
Dysthymia:	Moderate
Bipolar Disorder:	High-Moderate
Cyclothymia:	High
Seasonal Affective Disorder:	Very Slight
Postpartum Depression:	N/A
Take the Depression Test

Major depression is a mental health disorder which causes prolonged feelings of despair, worthlessness, irritability, and fatigue. Symptoms of Major Depression:

• Despair and hopelessness
• Little motivation to complete even simple tasks
• Thoughts or attempts of suicide
• Low self-esteem and self-confidence
• Low energy levels, tired and run-down
• Trouble falling asleep, nightmares, waking and can't fall back asleep
• Daily life is severely affected
• Loss of sex drive
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of interest in formerly pleasurable activities
• Symptoms last longer than two months

Dysthymia, or dysthymic disorder, is a clinical diagnosis of moderate, persistent depression. Sufferers do not routinely experience the extremes of major depression, but the duration can be much longer. Dysthymia does not often inhibit normal activities. The depression experienced in dysthymia sufferers tends appear almost as a personality trait. They tend to be self-critical and negative, with low self-esteem. Many dysthymics are unable to recall the last time they felt happy. 

• Long-term depression, sadness, anxiety
• Fatigue, difficulty falling asleep or waking and not being able to fall back asleep
• Problems with memory or concentration
• Low self-esteem, guilt, or negative thinking; self-critical
• Depression seems part of one's personality, gloomy, no joy
• Unable to remember last time one was happy, confident, or inspired
• Unexpected weight loss or gain, eating problems
• Symptoms present for over two years

Also known as manic-depressive disorder, bipolar disorder results in dramatic mood swings in the sufferer. This psychological disorder is characterized by perpetual shifts between manic and depressive phases. During the manic phase, one may feel unnaturally confident, energetic, and out of control. The depressive phase shares many symptoms with major depression. Bipolar is the only depressive disorder that is not heavily skewed toward women.

Manic Phase

• Little sleep, plenty of energy
• Exaggerated optimism, excessive self-confidence, euphoric mood
• Engaging in wreckless, inappropriate behavior
• Promiscuity, sexual aggression
• Distractible, unable to concentrate, too many ideas
• Abuse of alcohol or drugs
• Increased irritability

Manic phase lasts at least one week

Depressive Phase

• Deep despair, suicidal thoughts or actions
• Anger or fear due to uncontrollable mood swings
• Feelings of guilt, low self-esteem
• Difficulty falling asleep, restless sleeping, over-sleeping
• Diminished sex drive
• Loss of interest in formerly-enjoyed activities
• Eating disorders, unexpected weight gain or loss
• Physical pains not associated with a known illness

Cyclothymia is a mild form of bipolar disorder. It is characterized by mood fluctuations that shift between depressive and hypomanic phases. The depressive or hypomania symptoms of cyclothymia may last for a few days to several weeks at a time, with brief intervals of normal mood in between. Personality changes are often evident to family and friends. Individuals who have a stable mood for longer than two months at a time are not likely cyclothymic. 

Hypomanic Phase

• Excessive confidence and self-esteem
• Reduced ability to concentrate, easily distracted
• Sleep difficulties, excessive energy
• Heightened irritability
• Reduced inhibitions, may make foolish decisions
• Hypomania lasts between several days and several weeks

Depressive Phase

• Feelings of inadequacy, low self-confidence
• Difficulty falling asleep, unrestful sleep
• Fatigue, lack of energy
• Negative thinking, feelings of guilt and sadness
• Loss of interest in formerly enjoyable activities
• Depression lasting between several days and several weeks