Depressed? Need an Assessment?

 Purpose of a Depression Assessment

To determine:

• Whether you meet the clinical criteria for depression

• The severity (mild, moderate, severe)

• Related conditions (e.g., anxiety, bipolar disorder)

• Functional impact (on work, relationships, etc.)

🔹 Common Tools Used in a Depression Assessment

1. Clinical Interview

• The psychologist will ask about your:

  • Mood, sleep, appetite, energy, concentration

  • Life stressors, relationships, medical history

  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide (if applicable)

• They'll use DSM-5 criteria for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) diagnosis.

2. Standardized Questionnaires

Often used to quantify symptoms and monitor change over time:

• Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) – 21 questions, self-rated

• Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) – 9 questions, widely used in clinics

• Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) – clinician-administered

3. Rule-Out Assessments

• To ensure symptoms aren't due to other conditions (e.g., bipolar disorder), they may include:

  • Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ)

  • Anxiety scales (e.g., GAD-7)

  • Cognitive tests (if memory/concentration is affected)

🔹 How to Prepare

• Think about when symptoms started and how they’ve changed.

• Track sleep, mood, appetite, and energy for a few days if possible.

• Be honest — even difficult topics like suicidal thoughts are important to share safely with a professional.

• Bring a list of any medications, major life events, and medical history.

🔹 What Happens Next?

• You'll usually get a summary or full report within a few days to weeks.

• This will include:

  • Any diagnoses

  • Severity level

  • Treatment recommendations (e.g., therapy, medication, referrals)