A link related to @violent-darts‘ excellent post on depression earlier today.
75-99% of the population score a zero on the Beck Depression Inventory.
I can never get over that. 0. How. I mean, good? *sigh*
When clients tell me that 0 is bullshit, I read out the answers that would add up to a score of zero. “I do not feel like a failure.“ “I don’t feel disappointed in myself.“ “I have not noticed any recent change in my interest in sex.“ “I don’t feel particularly guilty”
It feels so far away, and yet, it’s so normal for so many people.
I prefer the PHQ-9 generally, especially for people with chronic depression, but keep copies of the BDI around specifically because it has examples of the kinds of statements a non-depressed person would endorse.
OK well the fine was code for “There is no immediate emergency” thing describes my family perfectly. My (legally disabled) mom will occasionally go so far as “oh, not so good” when she’s having a particularly bad pain day, but always with an apologetic “but that’s just how things go, don’t worry about me” tone to it.
This is also why I have no idea what my family mental health history would be if anybody actually got diagnosed. Or talked about any of this.
A note on “normal” for depressed folks
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