Moderate to Severe Depression May Require Inpatient Treatment

When one bleak day dissolves into another, with no motivation to even get out of bed in the morning and an increasing sense of despair creeping in, it is possible that a bout of depression has developed. Is it depression or just a bit of the blues that is the cause of the low mood and lack of energy, one wonders? Some may assume it is just a temporary funk and will ride it out. But if after two consecutive weeks of feeling hopeless, sad, and listless the symptoms don’t lift, it is likely that what is being experienced is a major depressive episode.

Unfortunately, only a small percentage of individuals who suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD) will actually visit a doctor to discuss the symptoms, choosing instead to suffer in silence. They may feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help, seeing their depression as a sign of weakness or something to hide from others. Or, maybe they just don’t understand what exactly indicates a depressive episode versus the common case of the blues. Fortunately, now there is a free, confidential online tool called the Do I Need Inpatient Treatment for Depression quiz, or the PHQ-9.

What is the Do I Need Treatment For Depression Quiz?

Because experiencing emotional pain is a common part of life, it helps to have a tool available that can help us determine if our symptoms are actually signs of MDD. This is important because if it is MDD it is critical to get the necessary medical and psychological intervention for treating it. If symptoms are prolonged and severe, an inpatient depression treatment program is a viable option.

The Do I Need Inpatient Treatment for Depression quiz is helpful because it is based on the nine diagnostic criteria for MDD as outlined in the DSM-5. This brief, confidential quiz provides nine items that, based on your answers, can provide excellent information regarding the appropriate level of treatment needed.