You can also take the quiz every week to track your moods and see whether self-help measures or other treatments are working.

You might notice your score improving before you really begin to feel better, telling you that you're on the right track, says depression researcher Ivan Goldberg, a New York based psychiatrist who created the self-test, which has been validated by independent researchers.

Note: This test is not designed to make a diagnosis of depression, which should be performed by your doctor. If you score above 30 or answer anything other than "A" on question No. 1, you should see your doctor to discuss your symptoms and possible treatments. Any change of 5 or more points, from one test to the next, indicates that your moods have changed significantly.

The 18 items below refer to how you felt or behaved during the past week. For each item, indicate the extent to which the statement is true. Choose from the following choices:

a. not at all b. just a little c. somewhat d. moderately e. quite a lot f. very much

1. I do things slowly.

2. My future seems hopeless

3. It is hard for me to concentrate on reading

4. The pleasure and joy has gone out of my life.

5. I have difficulty making decisions

6. I have lost interest in aspects of life that used to be important to me

7. I feel sad, blue, and unhappy

8. I am agitated and keep moving around

9. I feel fatigued.

10. It takes great effort for me to do simple things.

11. I feel that I am a guilty person who deserves to be punished

12. I feel like a failure

13. I feel lifeless--more dead than alive.

14. My sleep has been disturbed--too little, too much, or broken sleep

15. I spend time thinking about HOW I might kill myself.

16. I feel trapped or caught.

17. I feel depressed even when good things happen to me

18 Without trying to diet, I have lost, or gained, weight.

To score: answer a. = 1 point answer b. = 2 points answer c. = 3 points answer d. = 4 points answer e. = 5 points answer f. = 6 points

Remember, if your score is over 30, or if you answered anything other than "A" on question 15 call your doctor or First Hospital at 570-552-3900 as soon as possible.

For more information on depression call 552-3645.