Depression test

Talkspace offers free depression tests to help you understand your symptoms of depression. For a clinical depression diagnosis, it is important to see a licensed therapist or mental health professional. During your initial appointment with a Talkspace therapist, they will likely ask you several questions about your mood and how it impacts your daily functioning in order to determine if a diagnosis for depression is applicable to you.

No, medical diagnoses for depression can only be assessed by a healthcare professional. You can identify aspects of depression within yourself (e.g. feeling down and hopeless, having a hard time concentrating, a noticeable decrease in your energy level, thoughts of death or suicide, etc.), and all of these concerns should be addressed with your therapist so they can better identify the correct diagnosis and treatment plan for you.

To assess your symptoms of depression, a clinical interview is conducted by a professional, such as a medical doctor, licensed mental health therapist, psychiatrist, or nurse practitioner. The test usually includes gathering information from you about the depression symptoms you’re experiencing.

Providers may also choose to utilize a variety of different psychological measures, like the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), or other similar forms.

If you find yourself asking “do I have depression,” a test for clinical depression helps provide a better understanding of the scope and impact of your depressed mood. The test includes a scale on which to grade various depression symptoms. Your provider will determine your total score, and the total score combined with a clinical interview determines your diagnosis.

To make a clinical depression diagnosis, mental health professionals look for certain symptoms and consult the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Major depressive disorder is typically diagnosed when a person's symptoms have persisted for a minimum period of two weeks.

Major depressive disorder, sometimes referred to as clinical depression, is a serious mental health condition that can impact your emotions, physical wellbeing, and mental health. The main symptoms of depression include (but aren’t limited to):

• Changes in sleep — sleeping too long or not enough
• Onset of acute insomnia
• Moodiness and/or irritability that’s a reflection of sadness
• Loss of hope
• Loss of appetite
• Overindulging in food
• Substance abuse
• Engaging in risky behaviors
• Suicidal thoughts
• Having an overwhelming sense of sadness
• Feeling lonely, despair, or other sedating moods

If you suspect that you or someone you know is struggling with these symptoms, taking our clinically-backed depression test acts as a great first step to gaining clarity and finding depression treatment options.

When depression symptoms last for two weeks or longer, seek help from a mental health professional. There are several different ways to treat depression including therapy, medication, or both. At Talkspace, we make the process easy by offering access to high-quality care from licensed and experienced providers anywhere at any time. Find an online therapist or prescriber to begin your journey treating clinical depression. 

Plus, Talkspace offers online therapy and psychiatry plans that take insurance. Coverage for depression treatment will depend on your insurance company and health plan. Even if you don't have a health insurance plan that covers mental health services, Talkspace is still more affordable than most co-pays for in-person therapy. You can also pay with an FSA/HSA card or check with your employer to see if mental health services are available to employees.