Are You Depressed?

Depression is present in as high as 85% of persons with OCD. It is characterized in most cases by strong, persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, helplessness, loss of interest in normal activities and pursuits, lack of energy, impaired sleep and appetite, and often suicidal feelings. The presence of severe clinical depression complicates the treatment of OCD. The diagnosis of depression is best done by a licensed mental health professional who may use a variety of clinical tools to assess the likelihood and severity of depression. Below is an example of a rating scale that can help you decide whether or not you should consult a mental health professional about depression.

The following is a simple test called the Self-Rating Depression Scale created by W.W.K. Zung, M.D.

*Rate each question as 1) None, 2) Some, 3) A good part of the time, or 4) Most or all the time*

1. I feel downhearted, blue, and sad

2. Morning is when I feel the best

3. I have crying spells or feel like it

4. I have trouble sleeping through the night

5. I eat as much as I used to

6. I enjoy looking at, talking to, and being with attractive women/men

7. I notice that I am losing weight

8. I have trouble with constipation

9. My heart beats faster than usual

10. I get tired for no reason

11. My mind is as clear as it used to be

12. I find it easy to do the things I used to do

13. I am restless and can't keep still

14. I feel hopeful about the future

15. I am more irritable than usual

16. I find it easy to make decisions

17. I feel that I am useful and needed

18. My life is pretty full

19. I feel that others would be better off if I were dead

20. I still enjoy the things I used to do

SCORING:

For questions 1,3,4,7,8,9,10,13,15,19 Give yourself a: 1 for NONE, 2 for SOME, 3 for GOOD PART, and 4 for MOST or ALL.

For questions, 2,5,6,11,12,14,16,17,18,20 Give yourself a: 4 for NONE, 3 for SOME, 2 for GOOD PART, and 1 for MOST or ALL.

Total your score.

FOR YOUR RATING

Rating = (your score)/80 * 100

If your rating is: Below 50 = within the normal range 50-59 = Presence of minimal to mild depression 60-79 = Presence of moderate to marked depression 70 and over = Presence of severe to extreme depression

Use this scale to see where you might stand. If you find that you are depressed, take this rating scale score to your doctor and discuss it with him or her.

(The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale originally appeared in the Archives of General Psychiatry, 1965;12: 63-70. It was reprinted with permission from from the American Medical Association)

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