Tuesday, January 07, 2003

Burns Depression Checklist

So I've finally started in on reading Feeling Good by David D. Burns, M.D. (I was assigned to read it when I last went in for a consultation back in October/November... but I hadn't felt the need to read it yet). At least now I can discuss cognitive therapy with my psych doctor when I go in to see him the week after next. (And I can say, yes, I read the book... LOL) It's an okay read so far, I'm only a chapter or three into the book. What's interesting is that some of the focii in cognitive therapy is the same tactics that he (my psych doctor) has used on me during some of the visits - so I've already seen the strategies work.

There's a test in the book called the Burns Depression Checklist and I wasn't too surprised at how drasticly different I score when I look back on how I would have answered the questions last May vs how I answer them today (and I'm having an off week). Back in May, I'd have scored an 83 (out of 100) had I taken this test vs a 14 today. In fact, the scores for the last 3 questions (red flag questions) was 10/12 (it was probably borderline whether I should have been under observation - the fact that I came in on my own is probably why I was allowed to be responsible for myself). Anything above a 75 is categorized as extreme depression. 11-25 is categorized as mild depression. The goal is a score under 5 (considered to be normal) or 6-10 (normal but unhappy) - so I still have some things that are plaguing me (top scorers were low-self esteem - moderately often, trouble sleeping - moderately often, and feeling tired - moderately often).

posted by Wuphon's at 10:38 PM