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Mood Evaluation Tools

Mood evaluation refers to the assessment and diagnosis of mood disorders in individuals. This process is significant in determining symptoms of depression and mania, and also in suggesting a suitable and responsible course of treatment. Different tools can be used to evaluate mood and mental health indicators, and mood evaluation techniques can also be used to assess the mental state of patients suffering from different ailments.

  1. The Major Depression Inventory

    • The Major Health Depression Inventory is applied to determine the presence of depression in an individual.

      The Major Depression Inventory, also referred to as MDI, is a tool utilized to evaluate whether an individual is suffering with depression. The MDI is a diagnostic tool and often employed as a follow-up to an initial assessment. It consists of 10 items that reflect the presence or absence of depressive symptoms with the subject, and once completed is scored and evaluated by a recognized general practitioner or established health care professional. If the presence of depression is suggested, then this is confirmed through a more in-depth discussion between the patient and doctor.

    The Hamilton Depression Scale

    • The Hamilton Depression Scale, also referred to as HDS, is designed to assess the severity of depression symptoms in an individual. This test is often used on subjects who have already been diagnosed as suffering with a particular mental health disorder. It can be utilized to assess both children and adults and is an effective tool for measuring the effects of prescribed medication and courses of therapy. It can identify whether a course of treatment is effective and help to recommend alternative resolutions or dosages of medicine.

    The Mood Disorder Questionnaire

    • The Mood Disorder Questionnaire, also referred to as MDQ, is a tool used to determine the symptoms of bipolar disorder. These symptoms include depression and mania, which can be highlighted through a series of 16 questions. This evaluation can be sourced and undertaken online, and once completed needs to be presented to a GP or mental health expert in order to determine a result. Aside from being a significant step toward diagnosis, the MDQ can help a subject understand and recognize the symptoms in the first instance.

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