The document presents a quiz to test knowledge about depression, a mental health disorder affecting over 19 million Americans annually. It addresses common misconceptions, outlines symptoms, and emphasizes that depression requires medical treatment, with significant improvement rates for those who seek help. The quiz also highlights the differences in prevalence between men and women and the distinction between depression and seasonal affective disorder.

1. Depression Lowdown Quiz
How much do you know about this common mental health disorder?
Depression affects more than 19 million Americans each year. Do you
know the signs? Have you fallen for myths? Test your knowledge with
this quiz.

2. Question 1
True or False:
Depression usually occurs when something bad
happens in your life.

3. Answer
False:
Depression is more than having sad thoughts after
a negative event. Depression can be triggered by
brain chemical imbalance, negative thinking
patterns, certain illnesses or medications, family
history or—sometimes—no apparent reason at all.

4. Question 2
Name three of the 10 symptoms of clinical
depression outline by Mental Health America.

5. Answer
According to Mental Health America, symptoms of depression are:
1. persistent sad or empty mood
2. sleeping too much or too little
3. appetite and weight loss or gain
4. loss of pleasure in activities once enjoyed
5. Restlessness, fatigue or irritability
6. persistent physical symptoms
7. difficulty concentrating or making decisions
8. feelings of guilt
9. hopelessness or worthlessness
10. thinking about suicide or death.

6. Question 3
True or False:
Most people can “snap out of” depression.

7. Answer
False:
Depression is a health problem that needs medical
treatment. In most cases, it is recognizable and
treatable. More than 80 percent of those who seek
treatment show improvement.

8. Question 4
True or False:
More women suffer from depression than men.

9. Answer
True:
Depression affects about 12 million American
women compared with about 6 million men. But
don’t ignore depression in men. Men as a group
are more covert and find it harder to ask for help.

10. Question 5
True or False:
Depression and seasonal affective disorder are the
same thing.

11. Answer
False:
Exposure to less sunlight in winter months triggers
the depressive symptoms of seasonal affective
disorder (SAD) in some people. Lots of people who
do not have depression have SAD. The good news
is, SAD is treatable with bright, full-room
illumination or special desk lamps that give off
extra light.

12. Score
See how your score rates:
• 5: You’re well-positioned to help someone in
need.
• 3–4: Time to brush up on the basics.
• 0–2: Don’t get down!
• Dial 211 for the community health navigator to
get help for depression.