Depression is a commonly used term in our lives. We say it quite easily to indicate that we are feeling extremely sad, morose, troubled, and/or bland. But depression is not merely a 'mood', like having the blues. Every person feels sad from time to time, but depression is when one feels like that at all times for prolonged periods of time―it is a psychological disorder. It is not physical, and therefore, it cannot be seen as a hurt or wound. One can, however, identify depression. Depression leaves some telltale signs in its wake, that if carefully studied, will help you identify whether a person is suffering from depression or not. A depression test is used for identifying these symptoms. Let us give you a few examples of these tests, see how they work, and also learn about some of the types of questions that are used for depression testing. A depression test is designed to check if a person is going through depression―this is done by a set of carefully planned questions that need to be answered. After that, these tests are scored and depending on the scores, it is possible to determine whether a person is depressed or not and identify the type of depression he/she is suffering from. There are several types of depressions and there are several specialized tests that are used to measure depression. Sample Test for Teenagers Many of us might confuse depression for 'adolescence' when it comes to teens, because puberty is a confusing time for them where they go through severe mood swings (because of physical and mental changes). Here are some sample questions from a depression test that will help you determine whether your child is suffering from depression or not. This test can personally be taken by teens as well to determine whether they are simply feeling 'blue' or undergoing depression. Make sure that these symptoms have been constant and present for approximately 2-3 weeks.

• Do you feel sad and irritable at all times?
• Have you lost all interest in the activities you once enjoyed?
• Do you feel lethargic and experience a loss of energy at all times?
• Do you have difficulty concentrating?
• Do you have recurrent thoughts of committing suicide or death?
• Do you have difficulty sleeping?
• Have you noticed a significant change in your appetite or body weight?
• Do you feel worthless most of the time?
• Do you have unexplained guilt trips?
• Do you feel pent up anger and a tendency to overreact in situations?
• Do you cry often and for no apparent reason?
• Do you not feel like hanging out with friends?
• Do you feel like staying locked in the house at all times?
• Do you feel like being alone most of the time?
• Do you feel complacent and are overcome by a feeling that life has no meaning left?

If you answered a 'yes' to most of these questions, then there is a high possibility that you might be depressed. Speak to a parent or a guide immediately. If parents answered the test for their child and found 'yes' for most of the answers, then it is advised that you take immediate cognizance of the results. Treatment needs to be administered immediately. You need to take your child to a counselor who will go deeper into the problem, administer more tests, determine if the child is depressed, and then take up the required treatment forms. Manic Depression Test Manic depression (Bipolar Depression) is another type of depression that can affect people of all age groups. It is a mental disorder that leaves a person suffering from diverse mood, energy, and functioning ability shifts. These are experienced in alternating periods of extreme elevated moods (manic episodes) and severe depression. Manic periods can last for several months and then just as suddenly a person will jump back into depression. A beck test is a specialized test that was developed to be used for calculating chronic and manic depression. Here are some of the sample questions that you can use to determine whether a person is suffering from manic depression. These symptoms should have to be constant and present for at least a week.

• Do you have feelings of an inflated ego/self-esteem?
• Are you easily distracted?
• Have you noticed a decreased need for sleep?
• Have you found that you are more talkative than you usually are?
• Do you feel pressure to talk constantly?
• Do you get the feeling that your thoughts are 'racing'?
• Have you started to get excessively involved in pleasurable activities that could end up having some painful consequences? (Business investments, buying sprees, sexual indiscretions)
• Do you find a sudden leap in goal-directed activities like work, school, or even in context of sex?

If you answered more than 3 questions in the affirmative, then it is an indication that you might be suffering from manic depression. In order to gain clarity into this, it is important that you visit a counselor or a psychiatrist who will administer further tests and guide you on further treatment plans. A depression test will help identify the first signs of depression and in that way help a person understand what they are going through. That being said, it is important to understand that these tests are extremely specialized and should only be taken with the help of a qualified professional. Otherwise, a person might wrongly diagnose themselves as suffering from depression and lower the quality of their life. Another reason for why a depression test should only be taken with a professional is because only they can guide you with further treatment―either by way of medication or counseling or any other specialized techniques. Disclaimer - This Buzzle article is meant for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for the advice of a mental health expert.