How to Know if You're Depressed. Hint: It's Not a Quiz
There are many, many, things in this world that disturb me but I've noticed a rising trend in something that really has me concerned for the fate of the human race.
Wellbeing quizzes.
Yes, they've always been around but there’s a new bunch cropping up that are specifically for Depression.
I've just seen one that’s titled something like “How to know if you're clinically Depressed.” It's on the same ad that advertises another quiz titled “How to know which Hogwarts House you're in.”
While I quite enjoy some of these quizzes myself (Gryffindor, if you're wondering), a quiz about Depression is dangerous.
You don't do a quiz to know if you're Depressed. You seek medical advice. And you may not know that what you have is Depression but you sure as fuck know something is wrong with you.
People who are actually Depressed don't do quizzes. They don't have the energy, focus or inclination to do them.
People who are not Depressed, who do these quizzes, can find themselves believing they are Depressed, when they're not. They can often unconsciously develop symptoms that cause them to behave impulsively, take medication they don’t need, or isolate themselves from friends and family for no reason at all.
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While I strongly believe that the topic of Depression should be an every day conversation, trivializing the condition by turning it into a social media quiz is not the way to do it.
We don’t need more young people thinking they have Depression. We need more young people to get the right help for their Depression and we need more young people to get that help earlier.
And no, doing a quiz is not going to encourage young people to understand they have Depression and seek help earlier. It's going to turn Depression into a game.
Depression is not a game.
I'll repeat that. Depression is not a game. It is an illness that, in some cases, can become terminal. It needs to be treated seriously in whatever manner works for the person who is experiencing it.
It is far more important than what Hogwarts House you're meant to be in.
And far more real.
When you come across one of these quizzes, I beg you, please ignore it. It's not worth your time and if we ignore them enough maybe they'll go away.
The Symptoms of Major Depression
Criteria for a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder according to the DSM 5.
Depressed mood lasting most of the day, most days
Loss of interest and pleasure in previously enjoyed activitites
Changes in appetite, weight loss/weight gain
Too much, or too little sleep, most nights
Physical agitation or slow, trancelike movements, most days
Lack of energy and motivation for daily life
Feeling worthless, shameful, guilty, most days
Lack of focus, most days
Suicidal thoughts, ideation, attempts
To be diagnosed with Depression you need to exhibit at least five of these symptoms and these must:
Impair your every day living, decision making and social activities
Not be caused by other situations or substances
Not be explained by other psychiatric conditions
Not be accompanied by a previous history of manic or hypomanic episodes
If you think you might be experiencing Depression or symptoms of anxiety please consult your general practitioner.