Free Depression Test for Adults | Created by Psychologists

Depression test is an orientational screening tool created by psychologists that helps adults find out whether their long-term difficulties with mood, energy or daily functioning may indicate depression. The test is anonymous, free of charge and available online without registration.

Have you been feeling sad, low on energy or without joy for a long time? Are you losing interest in things that used to make you happy? Do you find it hard to get up in the morning, avoid people or feel that nothing you do makes sense? It may not just be a temporarily difficult period.

This depression test will help you find out whether your symptoms may indicate depression. It is an orientational screening test focusing on five key areas: affective, cognitive, behavioural, somatic and existential.

The result does not replace a professional diagnosis, but it can be a useful first step to help you get your bearings and decide whether it makes sense to address the situation further with a psychologist.

What is depression?

Depression is one of the most widespread mental illnesses in the world. It is not a temporary low mood or a sign of weakness. It is a clinical condition in which biochemical changes occur in the brain, affecting the way a person experiences emotions, thinks and functions in everyday life.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 280 million people worldwide suffer from depression. It is estimated that one in five people will experience depression at some point in their lifetime. Despite this, depression remains significantly underdiagnosed and many people live with its symptoms for years without seeking help.

Depression manifests as a persistently low mood or a loss of the ability to feel pleasure. These symptoms must last for at least two weeks and interfere with daily functioning at work, in relationships and in self-care. Depression is not only a psychological state. It affects the whole body and the way a person thinks, acts and perceives the world around them.

What are the symptoms of depression?

Depression presents differently in different people. Some experience primarily deep sadness, others a sense of total emptiness, irritability or loss of motivation. The symptoms of depression can be divided into five areas:

• Affective area: persistent sadness or emptiness, loss of pleasure and interest, feelings of guilt and shame, irritability, tearfulness, emotional numbness
• Cognitive area: negative thoughts about oneself, difficulty concentrating, trouble making decisions even in everyday situations, a sense of hopelessness about the future, self-blame for the past
• Behavioural area: social withdrawal and avoidance of others, procrastination and failure to meet responsibilities, neglecting self-care, inability to motivate oneself to perform everyday tasks, declining performance at work
• Somatic area: chronic fatigue even after rest, sleep disturbances (insomnia or excessive sleepiness), changes in appetite and weight, slowing of movements and reactions, headaches or physical tension
• Existential area: a sense of loss of meaning in life, hopelessness about the future, thoughts of death or suicide, a sense of losing one's direction in life, a feeling that nothing one does has lasting significance

You do not need to have all the symptoms at once. A diagnosis of depression requires the presence of key symptoms for at least two weeks. Our test will help you assess how many symptoms you are experiencing and how intense they are.

What is the difference between depression and sadness?

Sadness is a natural human emotion that arises as a response to a specific situation, such as a loss, disappointment or a difficult period. It is temporary and fades over time. A sad person is still able to experience positive moments, feel relief or joy, even if only briefly.

Depression differs in several key ways. It lasts for at least two weeks without an obvious cause or relief, significantly interferes with daily functioning, affects multiple areas at once (mood, body, thinking, behaviour) and even positive events bring no relief. Typical of depression is anhedonia, the inability to feel pleasure from things that previously brought enjoyment.

If your sadness persists, deepens and you feel you cannot get out of it, or if you notice symptoms in several of the areas described above, it is worth exploring further.

What are the types of depressive disorder?

Depression is not a single diagnosis. There are several forms of depressive disorder that differ in duration, intensity of symptoms and the circumstances in which they arise:

• Major depressive disorder - the most common form. Characterised by severe symptoms lasting at least two weeks that significantly limit everyday functioning.
• Dysthymia (persistent depressive disorder) - a milder but long-lasting form, persisting for at least two years. Symptoms are less intense but their duration significantly reduces quality of life.
• Bipolar disorder - alternating episodes of depression and mania or hypomania. Requires a different approach to diagnosis and treatment.
• Seasonal affective disorder - depression linked to a particular time of year, most commonly autumn and winter, caused by a lack of natural light.
• Postpartum depression - occurs after childbirth and affects 10 to 15 % of mothers. Without treatment it can persist for months.
• Situational (reactive) depression - arises as a response to a specific life event (loss, divorce, health diagnosis).

Our test focuses on symptoms of depression in general and does not identify a specific type of disorder. A professional assessment is always necessary for an accurate diagnosis.

Who is this depression test for?

The test is intended for adults over 18 who have been noticing symptoms in themselves for at least two weeks, such as low mood, loss of pleasure, fatigue, difficulty concentrating or changes in sleep.

The test may be particularly useful if:

• you have been feeling sad, empty or low on energy for a long time
• you have lost interest in things that used to bring you joy
• you have difficulty concentrating, making decisions or keeping up with your responsibilities
• you experience sleep disturbances or persistent chronic fatigue
• you feel hopeless or have thoughts that it would be better if you were not here
• your mood or fatigue is affecting your relationships or your work
• people around you have noticed that you have changed

How does this depression test work?

The test contains 25 questions divided into five areas in which depression most commonly manifests: affective, cognitive, behavioural, somatic and existential. For each question you select an answer based on how you have been feeling over the past two weeks.

After completing the test you will receive a total score and an orientational placement into one of four categories: minimal, mild, moderate or high depressive symptomatology.

Completing the test will take approximately 15 minutes.

Is the online depression test reliable?

This test serves as an orientational screening tool, not a diagnosis. This means that:

• it can highlight possible symptoms of depression
• it helps you better identify what keeps recurring in your experience
• it does not replace a professional psychological or psychiatric assessment

If your result indicates a higher level of depressive symptoms, or if you feel that the described difficulties closely match your experience, we recommend following up with a psychologist specialising in anxiety and depression.

What will you receive after completing the test?

After completing the test you will receive:

• a total score and placement into a symptom severity category
• a score for each of the five areas separately
• a brief explanation of what the result may mean
• recommendations for next steps

For many people the greatest value lies simply in using the test to organise their own experience and being able to more precisely name what has been troubling them for a long time.

What should you do if the test shows a high score?

The test result is not a diagnosis. It is a signal that it is worth taking the next step. The recommended action is a consultation with a psychologist who can carry out a more detailed assessment of your situation. If necessary, the psychologist may recommend a psychiatric evaluation, where depression can be formally diagnosed and an appropriate form of treatment considered, whether psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy or a combination of both.

If thoughts of death or of it being better if you were not alive appear in your responses to the test, do not delay seeking help. Contact our psychologists or reach out to a crisis line. Samaritans (UK): 116 123 (24 hours, free). Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741. In an emergency call 999 or 112.

Why is it important to address symptoms of depression early?

Untreated depression can have a long-term impact on work performance, relationships, physical health and overall quality of life. Many people describe years of self-doubt, feelings of failure and exhaustion from trying to function despite their symptoms. Yet the earlier depression is identified, the shorter and more successful treatment tends to be.

Depression is a treatable condition. A combination of psychotherapy and, where appropriate, pharmacotherapy leads to significant improvement or complete resolution of symptoms in the majority of people. The goal is not only to manage symptoms but also to better understand one's own experience and create conditions for long-term mental wellbeing.

Author and clinical guarantor of the test

The depression test was developed by an experienced psychologist from Mojra online counselling, Mgr. Liliana Janáková. The screening tool is based on clinically verified areas of depressive symptom assessment and focuses on the five areas in which depression most commonly presents.

Clinical background

The test is prepared as a psychologically oriented screening tool for adults. Its purpose is not to establish a diagnosis but to help identify possible symptoms of depression, better articulate one's own experience and provide an initial orientation as to what may be worth addressing further.

Frequently asked questions

Is this depression test free?

Yes, the test is completely free and anonymous. It does not require registration or the submission of any personal information.

How long does it take to complete the test?

Completing the test usually takes approximately 15 minutes. We recommend setting aside a quiet moment so you can consider each question without rushing.

How accurate is the online depression test?

The online test is an orientational screening tool, not a diagnosis. It serves as a first step towards recognising possible symptoms and helps you better name what you are experiencing. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a psychologist or psychiatrist following a comprehensive assessment.

Can I have depression even if I have no obvious reason for it?

Yes, and this is very common. Depression does not necessarily arise as a response to a specific negative event. It can occur even in an apparently happy life. The causes are complex and include genetic predisposition, neurobiological factors and psychological patterns. The feeling that there is no reason to be depressed is in fact one of the reasons why many people delay seeking help.

Does depression present differently in men and women?

Yes. Depression is diagnosed in women approximately twice as often, but it is significantly underdiagnosed in men because it presents differently. In men, depression more commonly manifests as irritability, aggression, risk-taking behaviour or increased alcohol consumption, rather than classic sadness.

What happens after I complete the test?

Once you have answered all questions you will immediately receive an orientational result with an explanation and recommendations for next steps. The result is not sent or stored anywhere. The test is fully anonymous.

What should I do if I am having thoughts of death or suicide?

If these thoughts are present, do not delay seeking help and do not face this alone. Contact the psychologists at Mojra or reach out to a crisis line: Samaritans: 116 123 (24 hours, free), Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741. In an emergency call 999 or 112.

Is there a difference between depression and burnout?

Burnout and depression share some symptoms, such as fatigue, loss of motivation and reduced performance. However, burnout is primarily linked to workplace overload and tends to ease with rest and a change of circumstances. Depression is a clinical condition with a biological basis that persists even without an obvious stressor and affects multiple areas of life simultaneously. A psychologist can help to distinguish between the two accurately.

Find out whether your symptoms may indicate depression.
The test is anonymous, free and will only take approximately 15 minutes to complete.