Are You at Risk for Depression?
Test Question: Imagine you have a very important exam tomorrow and you've been preparing for a long time. As it gets closer, you start to feel anxious. Below are four possible reasons. Which one do you think is most likely causing your anxiety?
A:
B:
C:
D: name
A: Feeling unsure because you think there are still many concepts you haven't mastered.
Choosing this option suggests you're less likely to experience depression. You're practical and don't overthink; your worries are grounded in real issues. By contrast, people who are more prone to depression may feel down over relatively minor matters.
B: Worried the exam questions will be too tricky and you won't be able to answer them.
Choosing this option suggests you set high expectations for yourself and aim for perfection. Whether you're likely to develop depression largely depends on your personality. If you're more extroverted and can relieve anxiety quickly, you're less likely to experience it. However, if you're more introverted and hold yourself to very high standards, not meeting them can lead to prolonged anxiety and possibly depression.
C: Worried about making careless mistakes and not performing well.
Choosing this option indicates lower self-confidence. If you don't perform well, you tend to blame yourself, even if others don't think it's a big deal, and you may dwell on it for a long time. With this pattern, when you face significant pressure without timely relief, your chances of developing depression are higher.
D: Worried about forgetting your admission ticket, forgetting to write your name, or making mistakes on the answer sheet.
Choosing this option suggests a higher likelihood of depression. You tend to overthink and often expect the worst. Even if you know it's not helpful, it's hard to rein in these thoughts, and you often focus on negative outcomes. People with this pattern are more likely to become depressed because of excessive worrying.