National Depression Screening Day (NDSD) is October 10, 2002.

Get back more than a test score; get back your life

What is a screening like?

First, and most importantly, all screenings are completely free and totally anonymous. The screening is an opportunity to learn more about the illnesses of depression and manic-depression, complete a brief screening questionnaire, and speak one-on-one with a mental health professional. If appropriate, you may be referred for a complete evaluation and provided a list of clinicians or facilities in your area.

When you arrive at the screening, you will be offered the opportunity to complete the written screening questionnaire. You do not have to complete this questionnaire if you do not want to. You will then listen to a short educational presentation given by a mental health professional. There will be a question and answer session at the end of this presentation. Then, if you completed the screening questionnaire, you will be called for a short interview with a mental health professional to discuss the questionnaire and any symptoms you may be experiencing. The mental health professional may provide you with a referral list to treatment centers in your area after this interview.

While waiting to be called for your individual interview, you will be offered the opportunity to watch an educational video and pick up some pamphlets and brochures.

There may be a place on the screening questionnaire that asks if you would like to participate in a follow-up study. The follow-up study is designed to help learn about the success of the screening program and discover whether participants found the program useful. If you want to participate, simply sign your first name and provide a telephone number. If you do not want to participate, just leave this section blank. Participation in the follow-up study is completely voluntary and has no bearing on the screening itself.

Sample depression and manic-depression screening questionnaires

These tests were developed by National Depression Screening Day Executive Director, Douglas G. Jacobs, MD, incorporating the results of the 1992 through 1997 screening programs as well as the clinical criteria for the disorders as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual of Mental Disorders–IV, by the American Psychiatric Association. They are not designed to provide an actual diagnosis of depression or manic-depression. For that, you will need a complete clinical evaluation by a psychiatrist or other health care professional.

Depression:

1. I am unable to do the things I used to do.
2. I feel hopeless about the future.
3. I can’t make decisions.
4. I feel sluggish or restless.
5. I am gaining or losing weight.
6. I get tired for no reason.
7. I am sleeping too much, or too little.
8. I feel unhappy.
9. I become irritable or anxious.
10. I think about dying or killing myself.

If you answered yes to 5 or more of these questions, and you have felt this way every day for several weeks, there is a good chance you are suffering from depression and should see a psychiatrist or other health care professional.

If you answered yes to question 10, you should seek help immediately, regardless of your answer to any other questions.

Mania:

1. I have a decreased need for sleep.
2. I have much more energy than usual.
3. My thinking is speeded up.
4. I feel unusually euphoric and "high."
5. I can’t seem to stop talking.
6. I can’t keep my mind on one thing—I jump from task to task.
7. I have a heightened interest in sex.
8. I am irritable and short-tempered.
9. I have a close blood relative who has had a serious emotional illness or alcohol abuse.
10. I think about dying or killing myself.

If you answered yes to 5 or more of these questions, and you have felt this way every day for several weeks, there is a good chance you are suffering from mania or manic-depression and should see a psychiatrist or other health care professional.

If you answered yes to question 10, you should seek help immediately, regardless of your answer to any other questions.

Screening for Mental Health would like to acknowledge Ross Baldessarini, MD, Professor of Psychiatry (Neuroscience), Harvard Medical School and Director of Bipolar and Psychotic Disorders Program, McLean Hospital, for his insightful input and scientific guidance on the manic-depression section of this web page and the National Depression Screening Day program as a whole.

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