WE all feel down—or a little tense—at times.
But for some people, a bad mood can be an ongoing problem and a sign of something more serious.
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A mood assessment testcoined by the NHS, claims to help you better understand how you’ve been feeling for the past two weeks.
It also points you in the right direction for helpful advice and information about depression and voltage.
Around one in six Britons suffers from depression as a consequence of the crisis in the cost of livingaccording to data from the Office for National Statistics.
Depression isn’t just a feeling of being unhappy or feeling a little fed up for a few days – which is normal and completely normal.
Those who suffer from the condition can experience an immense sense of sadness that can last for weeks and perhaps even months.
Depressive symptoms include a bad mood and loss of interest and pleasure in ordinary things.
The test asks several questions to determine if someone is experiencing depression.
It asks how low you feel, how well you sleep, how much energy you have and what your appetite was like.
Everyone’s experience with the condition is different, as it can manifest in different ways, but is often described as a total disconnect from all feelings of happiness and enjoyment.
The second half of the test asks questions to determine how anxious you feel.
Anxiety is a normal feeling, also known as the “fight or flight” response.
But in some cases, the reaction comes unnecessarily and gives people a sense of anxiety about the future, or a belief that something could go wrong.
Data from the Mental Health Foundation suggested that about one in three (34%) adults experienced high levels of anxiety by 2022.
Financial concerns were the main reason people felt anxious, the charity said.
The NHS quiz asks several questions that can help determine if someone is anxious.
It asks if people have worried lately and how often, if they have had trouble relaxing and if they are irritable easily.
The quiz ends by giving you a score for depression and anxiety and advising you on what to do next – which in some cases involves booking a general practitioner appointment.
Your doctor may recommend a combination of lifestyle changes, including cutting down on alcohol consumption, eating a healthier diet, or exercising more.
If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one, you can call counseling services such as Samaritans free on 116 123.