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Depression Awareness Tool

It is interesting to note that individuals who work in high-stress environments and those who are seen as healers, achievers and decision makers seem to be prone to depression. As a physician, you are trained to identify & diagnose depression. Despite our knowledge of the signs, symptoms, and diagnostic criteria for clinical depression and other mood disorders, it can be difficult to recognize or acknowledge those same signs and symptoms when they are our own.

Sadness is a normal reaction to loss and disappointment. A sad mood lasting for several days should not be confused with clinical depression. People who are truly depressed experience more intense and longer lasting symptoms, including negativity, anxiety, hopelessness, and loss of interest in relationships or activities. At any given time, one out of four people in the United States experiences the symptoms of depression.

To determine if you have symptoms of depression, we have developed the following awareness tool. This tool alone should never be used to diagnose or confirm that you are depressed.

DISCLAIMER: The depression awareness tool is intended to increase awareness of depression and the symptoms that are often present in depression. This awareness tool is not to be used to diagnose depression. A thorough evaluation by your physician or other care provider is required to diagnose clinical depression.

INSTRUCTIONS: Read each sentence carefully and then select the response that best describes how you have felt over the past two months.

1.	I usually wake up happy and refreshed.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
2.	My eating habits are the same as they always were.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
3.	I feel downhearted, blue and sad.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
4.	I sleep through the night.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
5.	My eating habits have recently changed.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
6.	I wake up feeling tired.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
7.	I'm hopeful and optimistic about the future.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
8.	Decisions are easy for me to make.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
9.	I enjoy meeting new people.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
10.	I'm often restless and anxious.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
11.	I feel that I am needed and loved.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
12.	I have had thoughts that people would be better off if I were dead.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
13.	Little things seem to make me angry.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
14.	I have trouble concentrating on my work and activities.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
15.	I've noticed I have stomach problems.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
16.	I enjoy doing things I used to do.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
17.	I feel like crying a lot.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
18.	I feel useful and needed.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
19.	I have lots of energy.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time
20.	My life is pretty good.
	None of the time Some of the time Most of the time

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