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Stress Management
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Home Wellness Centers Stress Management Interactive Tools

Depression Risk Assessment

More than 19 million people in the United States suffer from depression. About twice as many women as men suffer from this medical condition. Major depression is an all-encompassing illness that affects a person's body, feelings, thoughts, and behavior.

Certain things can trigger an episode of depression. They include a stressful life event, genetics, physical illness, medications, drug or alcohol abuse, or hormone levels. Any one of these factors, or a combination of them, can make depression more likely. The following questionnaire can help you assess your risk for depression.

1. In the last year have you thought seriously about killing yourself?
2. Have you had any of the following stressful occurrences during the last 12 months? (Check all that apply.)
3. Have you been in trouble with the law in the last 12 months?
4. Has a friend recently committed suicide?
5. Has anyone in your family (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts or uncles) had any of the following conditions? (Check all that apply.)
6. Do you have or have you ever had any of the following conditions? (Check all that apply.)

References for Depression

  1. Carlson G. (2000 Dec). The challenge of diagnosing depression in childhood and adolescence. J Affect Disord, 61(Suppl 1), 3-8.
  2. Cochran S, Mays V. (2000 Apr). Lifetime prevalence of suicide symptoms and affective disorders among men reporting same-sex sexual partners: results from NHANES III. Am J Public Health, 90(4), 573-8.
  3. Cornwall P, Scott J. (2000 Nov). Which clinical practice guidelines for depression? An overview for busy practitioners. Br J Gen Pract, 50(460), 908-11.
  4. Fergusson D, Horwood L, Beautrais A. (1999 Oct). Is sexual orientation related to mental health problems and suicidality in young people? Arch Gen Psychiatry, 56(10), 876-80.
  5. Gilbody S, House A, Sheldon T. (2001 Feb). Routinely administered questionnaires for depression and anxiety: systematic review. BMJ, 322(7283), 406-9.
  6. Kearney-Cooke A. (1999 May-Jun). Gender differences and self-esteem. J Gend Specif Med, 2(3), 46-52.
  7. Marcus S, Barry K, Flynn H, Tandon R, Greden J. (2001 Jan). Treatment guidelines for depression in pregnancy. Int J Gynaecol Obstet, 72(1), 61-70.
  8. McQuillan C, Rodriguez J. (2000 Jan-Mar). Adolescent suicide: a review of the literature. Bol Asoc Med P R, 92(1-3), 30-8.
  9. Safren S, Heimberg R. (1999 Dec). Depression, hopelessness, suicidality, and related factors in sexual minority and heterosexual adolescents. J Consult Clin Psychol, 67(6), 859-66.
  10. Salmon P. (2001 Feb). Effects of physical exercise on anxiety, depression, and sensitivity to stress: a unifying theory. Clin Psychol Rev, 21(1), 33-61.
  11. Simon G, Barber C, Birnbaum H, Frank R, Greenberg P, Rose R, Wang P, Kessler R. (2001 Jan). Depression and work productivity: the comparative costs of treatment versus nontreatment. J Occup Environ Med, 43(1), 2-9.
  12. Vahle V, Andresen E, Hagglund K. (2000 Dec). Depression measures in outcomes research. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 81(12 Suppl 2), S53-62.
  13. Van Heeringen C, Vincke J. (2000 Nov). Suicidal acts and ideation in homosexual and bisexual young people: a study of prevalence and risk factors. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol,
  14. Weller E, Weller R. (2000 Dec). Depression in adolescents growing pains or true morbidity? J Affect Disord, 61(Suppl 1(2)), 9-13.
  15. Rush AJ, Gullion CM, Basco MR, Jarrett RB, Trivedi MH. The Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS): psychometric properties. Psychol Med. 1996 May;26(3):477-86.
  16. Rush AJ, Hiser W, Giles DE. A comparison of self-reported versus clinician-related symptoms in depression. J Clin Psychiatry. 1987 Jun;48(6):246-8.
  17. Jacobson J, Jacobson A. Psychiatric Secrets 2nd ed. 2001. Philadelphia: Hanley & Belfus. 71-76.

Author: Lambert, J.G. M.D.
Online Editor: Rademaekers, Ed
Online Medical Reviewer: Godsey, Cynthia M.S., M.S.N., APRN
Online Medical Reviewer: Lambert, J.G. M.D.
Date Last Reviewed: 9/20/2006
Date Last Modified: 4/1/2005