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Check Point

This is the “Emotional Flu Check Point”
The “flu” is getting more prevalent. Please check your emotional health here!

For the following 20 items, please pick the option that best describes how you have felt over the past week:

1. I was bothered by things that usually don’t bother me.

2. I did not feel like eating; my appetite was poor.

3. I felt that I could not shake off the blues even with the help from my family and friends.

4. I felt that I was not as good as other people.

5. I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing.

6. I felt depressed.

7. I felt that everything I did was an effort.

8. I felt hopeless about the future.

9. I thought my life had been a failure.

10. I felt fearful.

11. My sleep was restless.

12. I was unhappy.

13. I talked less than usual.

14. I felt lonely.

15. People were unfriendly.

16. I did not enjoy life.

17. I had crying spells.

18. I felt sad.

19. I felt that people disliked me.

20. I could not “get going”.

About the test


The test above is the CES-D (The Centre for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale) by the National Institute for Mental Health (YEAR)in the USA. This quick self-test measures a person’s depressive feelings and behaviours during the past week, allowing him/her to detect his/her depression quotient.


The twenty questions in the CES-D can be divided into four major aspects, including depressive feelings, physical symptoms, positive feelings, and “interpersonal relationships”. The test is frequently used by researchers worldwide, as it provides reliable references to depression-related studies. The CES-D is also a useful tool in areas concerning psychological health.

References: Montgomery, B. & Evans, L. (1993). (2nd ed.). You and stress. Melbourne: Viking O’Neil. Kugler, J., Seelback, H., & Kr-skemper, G.M. (1994). Effects of rehabilitation exercise programmes on anxiety and depression in coronary patients: A meta-analysis. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 33, 401–410.
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