Testing for Depression - Dundalk MD

Author
May 7
2 min read

Psychological testing (also called psychological assessment) is a structured, evidence-based process used by licensed psychologists to understand a person's mental, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning. It’s commonly used to help diagnose conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, learning disorders, and more.

🧠 What Does Psychological Testing Involve?

1. Clinical Interview

A psychologist gathers detailed background information.
You’ll be asked about your symptoms, history, lifestyle, and goals.
This helps them determine what specific tests to use.

2. Standardized Tests & Questionnaires

Tests may include:

Type of Test	Purpose	Examples
Mood/Depression	Assess symptoms of depression or anxiety	PHQ-9, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), GAD-7
Cognitive/Intelligence	Evaluate memory, reasoning, attention, IQ	WAIS-IV, WISC-V
Personality Tests	Explore personality traits and patterns	MMPI-2, MCMI, Big Five
Neuropsychological Tests	Detect brain function issues (e.g., after head injury)	Trail Making Test, Stroop Test

3. Behavioral Observation

During the evaluation, the psychologist observes how you behave, communicate, and react.

4. Feedback Session

The psychologist will review the results with you.
You’ll receive a diagnosis (if applicable), treatment recommendations, and possibly a written report.

📍 Why People Get Psychological Testing

To clarify a diagnosis (e.g., is it depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder?)
To qualify for special accommodations (e.g., school, work, disability)
For legal or forensic purposes
To guide therapy or medication planning

⏱️ How Long Does It Take?

Short screeners: 20–30 minutes
Full psychological batteries: 2 to 6 hours, possibly split over multiple visits

💵 Cost and Insurance

Can range from $150 to over $1,500, depending on the complexity.
Many insurance plans cover it when it's medically necessary (especially for diagnosing mental health disorders).
Call ahead to ask about coverage and out-of-pocket costs.

Would you like help finding a provider near Dundalk, Maryland who offers psychological testing—or do you want help preparing for your evaluation? The Epec Clinic provides online suboxone appointments.