“Humans are social creatures, and research shows that social isolation and loneliness are risk factors for poor mental and physical health—depression, anxiety, substance abuse, suicide, and earlier death are the results. Connection is the key to emotional well-being." Depression is a disorder of the brain. It is a serious mental illness that is more than just a feeling of being "down in the dumps" or "blue" for a few days. For more than 20 million people in the United States who have depression, the feelings persist and can interfere with everyday life. My podcast is a summary of the main guiding steps towards this crippling disease. This short questionnaire can be a valuable tool for individuals to reflect on their experiences with depression and identify specific areas where they might seek improvement or support. Here's a concise questionnaire inspired by the practical advice shared in my podcast. DEPRESSION Self-Reflection Questionnaire **Instructions:** Please take a moment to reflect on each question. There are no right or wrong answers. This questionnaire is designed to help you identify areas where you might benefit from additional support or strategies. 1. **Social Interaction:** - In the past week, how often have you engaged in social activities or conversations (including online)? - [ ] Not at all - [ ] Once or twice - [ ] Several times - [ ] Frequently 2. **Motivation and Energy:** - How would you rate your level of motivation and energy on most days? - [ ] Very low - [ ] Low - [ ] Moderate - [ ] High 3. **Professional Help:** - Have you sought professional help (e.g., therapy, counseling) for your feelings of sadness or hopelessness? - [ ] Yes - [ ] No - If yes, did you find it helpful? - [ ] Yes - [ ] Somewhat - [ ] No 4. **Sleep Quality:** - How would you describe your sleep quality in the past month? - [ ] Very poor - [ ] Poor - [ ] Fair - [ ] Good 5. **Self-Compassion:** - How often do you practice self-compassion or challenge negative thoughts about yourself? - [ ] Never - [ ] Rarely - [ ] Sometimes - [ ] Often 6. **Concentration:** - Have you experienced difficulty concentrating, and if so, have you tried any techniques to improve it? - [ ] Yes, and I've tried techniques to improve it. - [ ] Yes, but I haven't tried techniques to improve it. - [ ] No, I haven't experienced difficulty concentrating. 7. **Nutrition:** - How would you rate your eating habits in terms of nutritional balance? - [ ] Very poor - [ ] Poor - [ ] Good - [ ] Excellent 8. **Interest in Activities:** - Have you lost interest in activities you once enjoyed? - [ ] Yes, significantly - [ ] Somewhat - [ ] Not really - [ ] No, my interest hasn't changed 9. **Support Systems:** - Do you feel you have a support system (friends, family, groups) that understands your experience with depression? - [ ] Yes - [ ] Somewhat - [ ] No **Reflection:** Based on your answers, which areas do you feel you might need more support or strategies for improvement? This questionnaire can serve as a starting point for individuals to assess their current state and consider steps for progress. It's also a helpful tool for therapists, counselors, or support groups to understand an individual's specific challenges and areas of concern.