An online depression test can be a good starting point to better understand your mood. These tools will help you review your symptoms regularly and see if your mental health needs more attention. However, it is important to remember that these questionnaires are not definitive diagnostic tools for depression. They are just a beacon that can show you the way. The result of any depression test should be viewed as a step toward greater awareness, not a final diagnostic label. What is the online depression test and what is its purpose? The things you find on the internet called "depression tests" are actually standard screening questionnaires. The main purpose of these questionnaires is to identify people who may be at risk of a mood disorder and need further evaluation by a specialist. These tests usually include questions about your mood, sleep patterns, energy levels, appetite, and feelings over the past two weeks. The answers to these questions will give you an overview of your current situation. ### Key difference between screening and specialist diagnosis Screening is like taking a fever by hand; It tells you that there might be a problem. But the diagnosis is like using a thermometer and doing detailed tests by a doctor that determines the main cause of fever. An online depression test cannot detect the underlying causes of your symptoms, other medical conditions, or the subtle differences between types of mental disorders. This is only possible in a comprehensive evaluation session by a psychiatrist or clinical psychologist. Some examples of the most reliable screening questionnaires As mentioned, there are many depression tests that you can use to gauge your health. Naturally, these tests cannot replace a doctor's diagnosis, but they can provide an overview of your health conditions. In the following, we will learn more about these tests. ### Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) Patient Health Questionnaire-9 is one of the most common and reliable screening tools in the world. This short questionnaire contains 9 questions that are directly designed based on the diagnostic criteria of major depressive disorder. Its simplicity and high speed have made many general practitioners and mental health specialists use it as a primary tool for rapid assessment of patients. The questions of this questionnaire examine the following: - Your level of interest or pleasure in doing things - Feeling sad, hopeless or empty - Sleep problems (insomnia or hypersomnia) - Feeling tired or lack of energy ### Beck Anxiety and Depression Scale (BDI) Beck Depression Inventory (Beck Depression Inventory) is another very valid and widely used tool designed by Aaron Beck, the founder of cognitive-behavioral therapy. This questionnaire is a bit longer (including 21 groups of questions) and assesses the severity of mood symptoms in more detail. This tool not only examines the presence of symptoms, but also helps measure their severity and can provide a more accurate picture of the depth of a person's mood problems. How to interpret the results of an online depression test Usually, after completing a depression test, you are given a numerical score. This score falls into categories such as "no symptoms," "mild," "moderate," or "severe." A high score indicates that you are experiencing significant symptoms consistent with a mood disorder and should be taken seriously. A low score also means that your symptoms are not currently at a worrisome level. But these numbers are just a guide.