Depression is an extremely common health issue, effecting millions of people at one time in the UK alone and having serious consequences on occupational, social, and personal performance. Depression can be a serious problem with some debilitating symptoms, killing thousands of people per year in the UK through suicide and self-medication of killer substances. As with stress, if you are suffering the symptoms of depression, your goal is to promote the best levels of psychological and social functioning. To help raise your self-esteem and confidence. To air your feelings and resolve issues that you feel confronted by, and to manage any automatic thoughts that lead to rumination and further negative thinking. If you are unsure about your symptoms, whether they are stress related, or depression, the depression inventory questionnaire can help point you in the right direction. The inventory is designed as an aid (not a diagnosis) to help you arrive at an understanding of whether you may be depressed, and any next steps you should take. If you are unable to perform normal daily tasks, have extreme mood swings, are experiencing a loss of identity and find life no longer worth living, you are more likely to be suffering depression and should reach out to your nurse or GP for help.

DEPRESSION INVENTORY

As you move down the questionnaire, look at what most applies to you in each section, and take a note of the number/point that sits alongside it on the left. Every section should be noted, choose only one of the options. The points range between 0 to 3 points. Write each point down on a piece of paper. At the end, add up your score and get the result.

Section 1.

0. I do not feel sad.

1. I feel sad.

2. I am sad all of the time and I can't snap out of it.

3. I am so sad and unhappy that I can't stand it.

Section 2.

0. I am not particularly discouraged about the future.

1. I feel discouraged about the future.

2. I feel I have nothing to look forward to.

3. I feel the future is hopeless and that things cannot improve.

Section 3.

0. I do not feel like a failure.

1. I feel I have failed more than the average person.

2. As I look back on my life, all I can see is a lot of failures.

3. I feel I am a complete failure as a person.

Section 4.

0. I get as much satisfaction out of things as I used to.

1. I don't enjoy things the way I used to.

2. I don't get real satisfaction out of anything anymore.

3. I am dissatisfied or bored with everything.

Section 5.

0. I don't feel particularly guilty

1. I feel guilty a good part of the time.

2. I feel quite guilty most of the time.

3. I feel guilty all of the time.

Section 6.

0. I don't feel I am being punished.

1. I feel I may be punished.

2. I expect to be punished.

3. I feel I am being punished.

Section 7.

0. I don't feel disappointed in myself.

1. I am disappointed in myself.

2. I am disgusted with myself.

3. I hate myself.

Section 8.

0. I don't feel I am any worse than anybody else.

1. I am critical of myself for my weaknesses or mistakes.

2. I blame myself all the time for my faults.

3. I blame myself for everything bad that happens.

Section 9.

0. I don't have any thoughts of killing myself.

1. I have thoughts of killing myself, but I would not carry them out.

2. I would like to kill myself.

3. I would kill myself if I had the chance.

Section 10.

0. I don't cry any more than usual.

1. I cry more now than I used to.

2. I cry all the time now.

3. I used to be able to cry, but now I can't cry even though I want to.

Section 11.

0. I am no more irritated by things than I ever was.

1. I am slightly more irritated now than usual.

2. I am quite annoyed or irritated a good deal of the time.

3. I feel irritated all the time.

Section 12.

0. I have not lost interest in other people.

1. I am less interested in other people than I used to be.

2. I have lost most of my interest in other people.

3. I have lost all of my interest in other people.

Section 13.

0. I make decisions about as well as I ever could.

1. I put off making decisions more than I used to.

2. I have greater difficulty in making decisions more than I used to.

3. I can't make decisions at all anymore.

Section 14.

0. I don't feel that I look any worse than I used to.

1. I am worried that I am looking old or unattractive.

2. I feel that there are permanent changes in my appearance that make me look unattractive.

3. I believe that I look ugly.

Section 15.

0. I can work about as well as before.

1. It takes an extra effort to get started at doing something.

2. I have to push myself very hard to do anything.

3. I can't do any work at all.

Section 16.

0. I can sleep as well as usual.

1. I don't sleep as well as I used to.

2. I wake up 1-2 hours earlier than usual and find it hard to get back to sleep.

3. I wake up several hours earlier than I used to and cannot get back to sleep.

Section 17.

0. I don't get more tired than usual.

1. I get tired more easily than I used to.

2. I get tired from doing almost anything.

3. I am too tired to do anything.

Section 18.

0. My appetite is no worse than usual.

1. My appetite is not as good as it used to be.

2. My appetite is much worse now.

3. I have no appetite at all anymore.

Section 19.

0. I haven't lost much weight, if any, lately.

1. I have lost more than five pounds.

2. I have lost more than ten pounds.

3. I have lost more than fifteen pounds.

Section 20.

0. I am no more worried about my health than usual.

1. I am worried about physical problems such as aches and pains, or upset stomach, or constipation.

2. I am very worried about physical problems and it's hard to think of much else.

3. I am so worried about my physical problems that I cannot think about anything else.

Section 21.

0. I have not noticed any recent change in my interest in sex.

1. I am less interested in sex than I used to be.

2. I have almost no interest in sex.

3. I have lost interest in sex completely.

Total Score

1-10.

These ups and downs are considered normal.

11-16.

This shows a mild mood disturbance that may be related to some level of stress.

17-20. Mild depression.

This shows you need to make some efforts to lifting how you feel. Talking things through with a friend, family member, counsellor or nurse will help. If things get worse you should seek help from your GP.

21-30. Moderate depression.

This shows you are somewhat depressed and may need medication to help you. Seek help from your nurse or GP.

31-40. Severe depression.

This shows you are depressed and need medication to help you cope with the symptoms. Seek help from your GP.

40+. Extreme depression.

This shows that you are dealing with extremely difficult symptoms. Seek support immediately. Make an appointment with your GP and call one of the emergency phonelines to talk things through. If you have any thoughts of suicide please call the Samaritans on 116 123.