Wing of Madness Depression Guide Depression Symptoms, Causes and Treatment » depression screening http://www.wingofmadness.com Depression Information, News and Support Since 1995 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:43:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Informed Patient: Screening Teens for Mental-Health Problems – Health Blog – WSJ http://www.wingofmadness.com/informed-patient-screening-teens-for-mental-health-problems-health-blog-wsj-1460 http://www.wingofmadness.com/informed-patient-screening-teens-for-mental-health-problems-health-blog-wsj-1460#comments Wed, 31 Aug 2011 13:31:53 +0000 Deborah http://www.wingofmadness.com/?p=1460 ]]> With growing concern about mental health issues and suicide among adolescents, more schools and communities are using voluntary screening programs to identify at-risk kids, today’s Informed Patient column reports.The programs rely on free questionnaires that have been shown to be reliable indicators of depression in adolescents including the Columbia University-developed TeenScreen and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. But mental-health screenings are opposed by certain groups and legislation has been introduced to prevent their mandatory use. Some mental health advocates say large-scale screening programs are not as cost-effective as relying on teachers, school health officials, primary-care doctors and parents to identify and intervene with troubled teens.

via Informed Patient: Screening Teens for Mental-Health Problems – Health Blog – WSJ.

]]> http://www.wingofmadness.com/informed-patient-screening-teens-for-mental-health-problems-health-blog-wsj-1460/feed 0 Depression Symptoms and Screening http://www.wingofmadness.com/depression-symptoms-and-screening-8 http://www.wingofmadness.com/depression-symptoms-and-screening-8#comments Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:34:48 +0000 Deborah http://s179350350.onlinehome.us/wordpress292/?p=8 ]]>

“I am the most miserable man living. If what I feel were equally distributed to the whole human family, there would not be a cheerful face on earth. Whether I shall ever be better I cannot tell; I awfully forbode I shall not. To remain as I am is impossible. I must die or be better.” – Abraham Lincoln

Image: The Sorceress by John William Waterhouse

The Sorceress by John William Waterhouse

If five or more of the following symptoms have been present in either you or someone you know for more than two weeks, please talk to your doctor about the possibility of depression being present. Keep in mind that these symptoms could indicate a medical condition other than depression.

Depression Symptoms

  • Feelings of sadness and/or irritability
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities normally enjoyed
  • Changes in weight or appetite
  • Changes in sleeping pattern
  • Feelings of guilt, hopelessness, or worthlessness
  • Inability to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions
  • Constant fatigue or loss of energy
  • Observable restlessness or decreased activity
  • Recurrent thoughts of suicide or death

In addition, look for at least three of the following symptoms, which could indicate the manic phase of manic-depression:

  • Inflated ego, envisioning of grand schemes
  • Increased energy and decreased need for sleep
  • Inappropriate excitement or irritability
  • Increased talking and/or moving
  • Sexual promiscuity
  • Disconnected and racing thoughts
  • Impulsive behavior and poor judgment

For a more detailed screening, look at the Goldberg Mania Quiz.

Other self-screening tests are at:

If you’re still not sure, look at What Does Depression Feel Like?.

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