The 15-Minute Diagnosis

SELF TESTS

Feeling out of sorts? Now, like your stock quotes or the latest
world events, you can get a quick assessment of your mental health in 15
minutes flat. Thanks to a recent proliferation of simple self-tests for
conditions from Alzheimer's disease to depression, it has never been
easier to determine if you're psychologically healthy--and what to do if
you're not. "There's a demand for this sort of fast tool because of the
high stress of today's society," says Julie Nelson, program manager at
the National Mental Health Association (NMHA). "Especially in this age of
HMOs, people are trying to increase their own wellness." While no
screening tool can replace a thorough assessment by a physician or
psychologist, these three new, research-based tests can help you take
your mental health into your own hands.

THE TEST: Online Depression Screening

HOW IT WORKS: This past year, the NMHA launched a depression test
on the Web in an effort to identify people who might have clinical
depression. "Currently, about 19 million Americans have clinical
depression, but there's so much stigma and denial as to what the symptoms
are," says Nelson. "Depression is so common--and so preventable. This
drove the design of an easy, quick screening tool." The test is certainly
fast and accessible; it asks 10 short questions such as, "How often do
you feel low in energy?" and is completely confidential.

WHO SHOULD TAKE IT: Anyone and everyone. "Today, the world moves at
such a fast pace that you don't stop to think about how you're feeling
until you're feeling horrible," says Nelson. "Maybe you can catch
yourself before you get to the point of developing clinical
depression."

IS IT ACCURATE: Very, according to Nelson. It's comprehensive and
has been tested by clinical psychologists. WHERE TO GET IT:
www.depressionscreening.org

WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP: After completing the online test, you'll
immediately receive a results sheet indicating the probability that you
are seriously depressed and whether further evaluation by a healthcare
professional is recommended. If so, use one of the new online referral
services, such as here2 listen.com, or contact your primary care
physician to be referred to a mental health professional. This site also
offers a locator function to help you find professional assistance and
more information in your area.

THE TEST: Eating Disorders Questionnaire

HOW IT WORKS: The quiz, which screens for both anorexia and
bulimia, features five simple questions: (1) Do you make yourself sick
because you feel uncomfortably full? (2) Do you worry you have lost
control over how much you eat? (3) Have you recently lost more than 10
pounds in a three-month period? (4) Do you believe yourself to be fat
when others say you are too thin? (5) Would you say that food dominates
your life? Test authors John Morgan, M.D., a psychiatrist, and Hubert
Lacey, Ph.D., a psychiatry professor at St. George's Hospital Eating
Disorder Service--the United Kingdom's largest eating disorder unit--say
that if you answer "yes" to two or more of the above questions, you may
have an eating disorder.

WHO SHOULD TAKE IT: Anyone who suspects he or she has an eating
disorder.

IS IT ACCURATE: The questionnaire was recently tested in a pilot
study and correctly diagnosed a group of patients with eating disorders.
But it may also err slightly: It has a false positive rate of 12.5%,
meaning it will highlight people who don't have a problem. For this
reason, Morgan warns that the test is not fail-safe. After all, he notes,
"eating disorders are clearly far more complex than five simple
questions."

WHERE TO GET IT: The full test is printed above, but for more
information, check out
www.bmj.com/cgi/-content/full/319/7223/1467.

WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP: If you answer "yes" to two or more questions,
seek help from a physician or psychologist who specializes in eating
disorders.

THE TEST: Alzheimer's Disease Memory Test

HOW IT WORKS: The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) tests for 30
mental abilities like reading, spatial orientation and following
commands. According to a recent study published in the Archives of
Neurology, the MMSE can predict whether adults will develop Alzheimer's
before they show any full-fledged symptoms. Initially, the study
participants had no mental problems, but those who performed worse on
memory and recall were more likely to get the disease in the next seven
years.

WHO SHOULD TAKE IT: The test is primarily for adults over the age
of 65, since Alzheimer's Disease only begins to set in around this age,
says Brent Small, Ph.D., assistant professor of gerontology at the
University of South Florida.

IS IT ACCURATE: Small warns that the test doesn't predict with
complete certainty that you will develop Alzheimer's. Also, memory
deficits highlighted by the MMSE may stem from stress, depression or
other conditions. Still, he says, it can certainly indicate that you may
eventually get it. "Early identification is important," he says. "The
current thinking is that intervening in people who are mildly affected
may be better than intervening in people who have had Alzheimer's for a
year or so."

WHERE TO GET IT: All major cities have memory disorder clinics
where you can have a set of tests done--like this one--to see if you are
performing poorly for your age and background, says Small.

WHAT'S THE NEXT STEP: If you score poorly on the MMSE, consult a
physician, advises Small. "Memory clinics are staffed by psychologists
and physicians who can prescribe appropriate treatment," he says. "Drug
treatment is increasingly popular and effective for Alzheimer's."

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