Should I Take Antidepressants Quiz

1. Even when I try to use coping skills, my symptoms still feel hard to manage.

2. If a clinician recommended it, I would seriously consider a trial of an antidepressant.

3. I have enough time in my schedule to attend an initial evaluation and follow-ups if needed.

4. I could take a medication daily as prescribed if we decided that was the plan.

5. In the past 2 weeks, I have missed work/school or major responsibilities because I couldn’t function emotionally.

6. In the past 2 weeks, I have gone 24 hours or more with little to no sleep and still felt unusually energized or driven.

7. I have had moments where I felt detached from reality (e.g., hearing/seeing things others don’t, strong paranoia, or feeling unreal).

8. My symptoms have strained my relationships or made me withdraw from others.

9. My symptoms have made it hard to keep up with work, school, or caregiving responsibilities.

10. I feel I might not be able to keep myself safe right now.

11. I have been moving or speaking more slowly than usual, or I have felt so restless it was hard to sit still.

12. I have had thoughts that life isn’t worth living or that I would be better off dead.

13. I can commit to follow-up appointments if I start an antidepressant.

14. If therapy alone has not been enough, I am willing to consider adding medication.

15. In the past 2 weeks, I have had panic episodes or anxiety surges that felt medically alarming (e.g., chest tightness, feeling like I might faint).

16. I have lost or gained weight rapidly due to mood-related changes in eating (to a degree that worries me or others).

17. I understand that finding the right antidepressant can take time and adjustments.

18. I have felt emotionally numb or disconnected from people or events.

19. In the past 2 weeks, my sleep has been extremely disrupted (e.g., sleeping 3 hours or less, or sleeping most of the day).

20. I have had days when getting out of bed or starting the day felt overwhelming because of my mood or anxiety.

21. I have used alcohol or drugs in a way that put me in danger (e.g., blackouts, mixing substances, risky driving, unsafe situations).

22. I have had trouble concentrating (e.g., reading, work tasks, conversations) because of my mood or anxiety.

23. In the past 2 weeks, I have felt trapped or like I have no way out.

24. In the past 2 weeks, my mood has shifted so fast or intensely that it has scared me or others.

25. Because of my symptoms, I have missed work/school, arrived late, or struggled to meet deadlines.

26. In the past 2 weeks, I have felt out of control with agitation or restlessness (unable to sit still, pacing, “wired” feeling).

27. I am willing to avoid alcohol/drug interactions and follow safety guidance if prescribed an antidepressant.

28. I have been irritable or easily upset in a way that affects my interactions.

29. I feel ready to discuss other medications/supplements I take so a prescriber can check for interactions.

30. I have access to means I could use to seriously harm myself (e.g., medications, weapons, other lethal means).

31. My sleep has been noticeably disrupted (trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much) due to mood or anxiety.

32. I am comfortable asking a clinician questions about antidepressants (benefits, risks, alternatives).

33. My appetite or eating has changed so much that it feels physically concerning (e.g., barely eating, or overeating to the point of sickness).

34. Over the past 2 weeks, I have felt down, depressed, or hopeless most days.

35. I have felt unable to cope without immediate help (e.g., felt like I was at a breaking point).

36. I have avoided situations or responsibilities because I feared I couldn't cope emotionally.

37. I feel prepared to share what I want from treatment (relief, functioning, sleep, anxiety) with a clinician.

38. Even though I have worries about side effects, I am still open to a careful, monitored trial.

39. I have felt persistently overwhelmed, like small problems quickly become too much.

40. I can manage practical steps like picking up prescriptions or arranging delivery.

41. My mood symptoms have led to dangerous impulsive behavior (e.g., reckless driving, unsafe sex, spending sprees that threaten stability).

42. I have had urges to harm someone else or fears that I might lose control and hurt someone.

43. I am willing to track symptoms and side effects if I start medication.

44. My mood or anxiety symptoms have made it harder to make decisions (even minor ones).

45. I have a way to access care (primary care, psychiatry, clinic, telehealth) if I decide to pursue medication.

46. In the past 2 weeks, I have increased my alcohol or drug use to cope with mood or anxiety.

47. I have felt tired or low-energy in a way that makes ordinary tasks feel hard.

48. I have felt unusually anxious, keyed up, or on edge.

49. I have felt worthless or like I am a failure.

50. People close to me have expressed concern that I need urgent help for my mood or behavior.

51. I am open to discussing antidepressant medication with a healthcare professional.

52. I have had panic episodes (sudden intense fear or discomfort) that made me stop what I was doing or seek reassurance.

53. In the past 2 weeks, I have felt so hopeless that I believed nothing could improve.

54. I have a specific plan for how I would harm myself or end my life.

55. If I had side effects, I would contact my clinician rather than stop abruptly on my own.

56. My appetite or weight has changed noticeably because of how I’ve been feeling.

57. I have felt excessive guilt or blamed myself for things more than seems reasonable.

58. In the past 2 weeks, I have had intense feelings of shame or self-hatred that make me feel unsafe.

59. I believe antidepressants are a reasonable option to consider for some people, including possibly me.

60. I have experienced physical symptoms of anxiety (e.g., racing heart, shortness of breath, stomach distress) that disrupt what I’m doing.

61. I feel able to discuss my mental health history honestly with a prescriber.

62. In the past month, I have done something that could be considered self-harm (e.g., cutting, burning, hitting myself).

63. If cost or insurance issues came up, I would be willing to ask about lower-cost medication options.

64. I could try a medication for several weeks to evaluate whether it helps.

65. I have found it hard to feel hopeful about the future because of how I’ve been feeling.

66. In the past 2 weeks, I have had thoughts about ending my life.

67. I have felt unable to control crying, anger, or emotional outbursts in ways that could lead to harm or serious consequences.

68. My mood symptoms have lasted for at least two weeks without much relief.

69. Over the past 2 weeks, I have had little interest or pleasure in activities I usually enjoy.

70. In the past 2 weeks, I have thought about hurting myself on purpose (even if I did not act on it).

71. Concerns about stigma would not stop me from discussing antidepressants with a clinician.

72. Worry has been hard to control and has taken up a lot of my time.

73. If I previously had an unhelpful experience with medication, I am still open to discussing other options.

74. I feel ready to schedule an appointment to talk about medication options.

75. I have been unable to concentrate enough to drive safely, operate equipment, or do tasks where mistakes could be dangerous.

76. I have isolated myself to the point that no one would notice quickly if I were in trouble.

77. I can weigh pros and cons of antidepressants without feeling overwhelmed.

78. If a clinician advised against antidepressants right now, I would still feel okay having had the conversation.

79. I have recently made preparations as if I might not be around (e.g., giving away belongings, writing goodbye notes, settling affairs).

80. My symptoms have interfered with basic self-care (e.g., showering, eating regularly, keeping my space reasonably clean).

81. I would like to make a plan with a clinician about what to do if my symptoms worsen after starting medication.

82. I feel comfortable considering medication alongside therapy or lifestyle changes (not as my only tool).

83. In the past 2 weeks, I have been so depressed or anxious that I struggled to do basic self-care (showering, eating, getting out of bed).

84. My symptoms have affected my ability to enjoy social time, hobbies, or leisure activities.