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The OCD Workbook
Rated the #1 Self-Help Psychology Book in 2008

The "Classic" Self-Help Manual for OCD
by Bruce M. Hyman, Ph.D. & Cherry Pedrick, R.N.

Are You Depressed?

Self-Test for Depression

Depression is present in as high as 85% of persons with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (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 Self-Rating Depression Scale

1. I feel downhearted, blue, and sad.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
2. Morning is when I feel the best.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
3. I have crying spells or feel like it.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
4. I have trouble sleeping through the night.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
5. I eat as much as I used to.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
6. I enjoy looking at, talking to, and being with attractive women/men.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
7. I notice that I am losing weight.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
8. I have trouble with constipation.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
9. My heart beats faster than usual.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
10. I get tired for no reason.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
11. My mind is as clear as it used to be.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
12. I find it easy to do the things I used to do.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
13. I am restless and can't keep still.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
14. I feel hopeful about the future.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
15. I am more irritable than usual.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
16. I find it easy to make decisions.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
17. I feel that I am useful and needed.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
18. My life is pretty full.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
19. I feel that others would be better off if I were dead.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time
20. I still enjoy the things I used to do.

Never
Sometimes
A good part of the time
Most or all the time

 

Key to 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
80 and over = Presence of severe to extreme depression

About this Test: The Self-Rating Depression Scale was created by W.W.K. Zung, M.D. "A self-rating depression scale," Arch Gen Psychiatry, 1965;12: 63-70.
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