About the Depression Test
This depression screening test was developed based on criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the standard reference used by mental health professionals to identify and diagnose depressive disorders. It includes 18 questions and typically takes about three minutes to complete.
The test looks at common clinical indicators of depression. You’ll be asked about things like mood changes, sleep patterns, energy levels, and your daily functioning. These questions can help you see whether what you’re experiencing lines up with these evidence-based signs.
Who should take the depression test?
This test is for anyone who’s been having a hard time, and wondering if depression might be a factor. If you’ve been feeling different lately and aren’t sure why, this screening can help you understand whether depression may be a factor, what you can do to feel better, and whether talking with a professional might be a helpful next step.
Can this test diagnose depression?
While this test can help you recognize common signs of depression in yourself, it’s not a diagnosis. Only a licensed medical or mental health professional can make an official diagnosis of depression.
Depression often involves a mix of emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms, but noticing those signs in yourself can be tough. This screening uses widely recognized symptom criteria and helps you see how your recent experiences compare. It’s a quick, confidential first step toward understanding your mental health.
What is depression?
Depression is a mood disorder that affects how you think, feel, and function in your daily life. While feelings of sadness or hopelessness are common, depression also involves changes in energy, sleep, focus, and motivation. To learn more, see HelpGuide’s in-depth guide to depression signs and symptoms.
Awareness is the first step
When you can recognize and understand what you’re experiencing, it’s easier to care for your mental health and get the support you need.
Are you depressed?
Whether your feelings are new, ongoing, or hard to pinpoint, this test can help you make sense of your symptoms.
What you’ll get:
Mental Health Tests You Can Trust
HelpGuide is a nonprofit with more than 25 years of providing trusted mental health information and practical, supportive tools to help people feel better. Our evidence-based tests and symptom screeners are designed to give you clear, reliable insight into your emotional well-being.
Your privacy is important to us
This depression test is completely anonymous and confidential. We don’t ask for your name, email, or any contact details, and we don’t use cookies that store the answers you provide.
How your answers help (without identifying you)
While we never collect information that could identify you, we do look at broad patterns across test responses. Over time, these insights help us improve and update our information to reflect people’s needs. In this way, your anonymous participation helps make our mental health resources better for everyone.
