I don't have a problem with a 3-minute screening test that sends you to the doctor if you get a high score as long as it is based on proper diagnostic criteria. The popup before you take the screen says "This form is not a diagnostic instrument..." and goes on to say that it should only be used in the context of medical treatment and the results should be shared with your physician.
The paradox here is that it may be unlikely for someone who is suffering from some of these mood disorders to take a survey like this. I took the test and got the following result: My Mood Monitor(tm) Assessment Report Date taken: 15 Mar, 2010 ________________________________ Your M3 checklist responses suggest that you are not suffering from a significant mood or anxiety disorder at the present time. However, before closing the book on this matter there are a few points you should consider. * A small percentage of individuals with mood or anxiety disorders fail to be picked up by the M3 checklist. Therefore, if despite reaching this point you find yourself experiencing troubling mood or anxiety related symptoms then you should certainly present your concerns to your primary care physician or perhaps to a professional mental health clinician. * A tendency to underestimate the effects of your symptoms on friendships, home or work life may have resulted in an "all is well" report when perhaps this is not strictly true. Call it "denial," not wishing to complain, or simply trying to "tough it out," under-reporting trouble could backfire and cause you more distress in the future. Avoid the pitfall of assuming that the way you feel "is to be expected considering my circumstances." While bad feelings are naturally the result of difficult and stressful life situations, mood and anxiety disorders are real medical conditions that may be triggered by such stresses. When they do arise these conditions make it more difficult to cope with the problems confronting you and so it is always in your best interest to get them treated. * Milder or sub-clinical varieties of mood and anxiety occasionally develop into more serious conditions. In such instances, symptoms may be less severe but nonetheless distracting or annoying, slowing you down or making things more stressful than they should be. If you feel this may apply to you, you should consider raising the issue with your physician, and sharing your assessment report. * Mood and anxiety disorders typically come in episodes. Therefore, even if you are feeling fine now, it is in your best interest to revisit this checklist every 6 months or so. Naturally, if at any point you find yourself experiencing some of the symptoms described in the M3 please return and repeat the checklist at your first opportunity. The first paragraph doesn't bother me and it seems fairly responsible throughout, however, I must say it seems a bit overly concerned about making a Type II error. My greatest concern is with this statement: "Avoid the pitfall of assuming that the way you feel 'is to be expected considering my circumstances.' While bad feelings are naturally the result of difficult and stressful life situations, mood and anxiety disorders are real medical conditions that may be triggered by such stresses. When they do arise these conditions make it more difficult to cope with the problems confronting you and so it is always in your best interest to get them treated." I would say that entirely depends on your circumstances. If you are currently grieving a real loss, I would expect you to be suffering severe grief not clinical depression. Rick Dr. Rick Froman, Chair Division of Humanities and Social Sciences Box 3055 x7295 [email protected] http://tinyurl.com/DrFroman Proverbs 14:15 "A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps." -----Original Message----- From: Paul C Bernhardt [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 4:22 PM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: Re: [tips] Psychiatry screen Am I the only one that just has a bone rattling shudder go down his or her spine? Paul Bernhardt Frostburg State University Sent from my iPhone On Mar 15, 2010, at 11:35 AM, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote: > A new study reports the use of a 3-minute self-report > questionnaire for assessing depressive, bipolar, anxiety, and > post-traumatic stress disorders. It might be of interest as a > teaching tool. > > The study is: > > Gaynes, B. et al (2010). Feasibility and Diagnostic Validity of > the M-3 Checklist: A Brief, Self-Rated Screen for Depressive, > Bipolar, Anxiety, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders in > Primary Care. Annals of Family Medicine 8:160-169 > > and an on-line version is available for use at: > > http://www.mymoodmonitor.com/ > > Everyone can now be their own psychiatrist. > > Stephen > > -------------------------------------------- > Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. > Professor of Psychology, Emeritus > Bishop's University > e-mail: sblack at ubishops.ca > 2600 College St. > Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7 > Canada > --- > -------------------------------------------------------------------- > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13441.4e79e96ebb5671bdb50111f18f263003&n=T&l=tips&o=1302 > or send a blank email to > leave-1302-13441.4e79e96ebb5671bdb50111f18f263...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13039.37a56d458b5e856d05bcfb3322db5f8a&n=T&l=tips&o=1304 or send a blank email to leave-1304-13039.37a56d458b5e856d05bcfb3322db5...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. 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