Stressful, life-altering events like a house fire and selling a fire-damaged house can cause people to fall into a state of depression. That’s why, if you have suffered a house fire recently, you need to pay close attention to your state of mind.
Recognizing changes in oneself can often be challenging, especially after experiencing traumatic events. Consequently, we have developed a quiz designed to assist individuals in determining whether they are exhibiting symptoms of depression following a house fire. This tool aims to provide valuable insights and encourage those affected to seek professional help if needed.
Simply select the answer to each question that best describes your feelings and behavior.
Outlook on Life
- When I think of the future, it makes me feel hopeless.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
- Making concise decisions is difficult for me.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
Emotional State
- I do not feel much joy or pleasure in my life.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
- I feel as though I am a guilty person who is worthy of punishment or misfortune.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
Cognitive and Physical Symptoms
- When I read, it is challenging for me to focus on the material.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
- I am agitated and a little jittery.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
Sense of Entrapment
- It feels like the walls are closing in on me or that I am trapped.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
- I feel very much like a failure.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
- Accomplishing simple tasks requires significant effort on my part.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
Loss of Interest and Motivation
- I have lost interest in issues and activities that were once compelling to me.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
Changes in Physical Health
- I have lost or gained extra pounds without making any effort.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
- I have more sensations of being dead than alive.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
- I feel tired and exhausted.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
- I have feelings of sadness and discontentment.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
- I am experiencing sleep disturbances of disrupted, excessive or insufficient rest.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
- I perform tasks in slow motion.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
- To ease my pain, I use alcohol or other substances.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
Persistent Negative Thoughts
- I contemplate methods of suicide.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
- I am consumed with bad thoughts about my future.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
- When fortunate things happen to me, I still have feelings of sadness.
Never
Infrequently
Sporadically
Moderately
Quite often
Frequently
Tally your responses by giving yourself points based on the following scale:
Never – 1
Infrequently – 1.5
Sporadically – 2
Moderately– 2.5
Quite often – 3
Frequently – 3.5
Based on your responses to the depression self-evaluation, if your score total is:
55 or more
►Severe to major depression
35 – 54
►Moderate to severe depression
23 – 34
►Mild depression
17 – 22
►Borderline depression
10 – 16
►Potential mild depression
0 – 9
►Depression is unlikely
This self-evaluation tool for depression is crafted exclusively for informational purposes and should never replace the expert advice of a licensed healthcare provider. Significantly, if you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, the urge to harm others, or persistent overwhelming feelings of discontentment, it’s crucial to seek immediate care from a medical professional. Such proactive steps are essential for your mental health and well-being, ensuring you receive the appropriate support and intervention when it matters most.
Natural Remedies for Depression
If you think you may have depression following a house fire, you should see a physician right away. Some people have also reported positive benefits from taking natural stress relievers like:
Kava
A few studies have shown kava to aid in reducing tension. More importantly, in people who suffered from anxiety, stress, or other specific phobias, kava was found to improve the mood.
The latest clinical findings were reported at a conference on alternative therapies. Consequently, medical researchers took 60 male and female participants with extremely high levels of stress and anxiety. Half the patient subjects were administered two 200 mg kava doses a day. Meanwhile, the other group was given a placebo with the same instructions. Within a four-week period, only the kava users demonstrated a drastic decrease in stress and anxiety from daily encounters and conflicts.
Despite, kava’s positive results in a few clinical trials, other studies show that kava may not be the most expedient way to quell uncommon severe anxiety. Another curious finding on kava contends that it may relieve tension and mild anxiety triggered by daily stress in under an hour; however, it takes a week for the body to reap any advantageous effects.
St. John’s Wort
Although, few studies have shown St. John’s wort as an effective remedy for severe depression, the herb has been found effective in treating mild to moderate cases of depression. New evaluations are needed to compare St. John’s wort to newer SSRI antidepressants or other depression-fighting supplements (such as kava and ginkgo biloba).
Nevertheless, a wealth of health professionals deems St. John’s wort to be a safer therapy for mild to moderate depression than many prescribed medications.
Ginkgo biloba
Alternative medicine calls for taking ginkgo to enhance the mind and stimulate the perspicuity of the brain. A recent review of animal studies suggested that taking ginkgo biloba regularly may help treat symptoms of depression. For example, mice that were given ginkgo biloba before being subjected to a stressful situation were less emotionally affected by the stress than the group that were not given the substance. .
Other Things to Do for Depression
Additional steps you can take to help overcome depression after a house fire include:
Seek medical attention – Only a licensed physician can prescribe an appropriate diet and antidepressant.
Get Support – Family, friends and support groups are vital tools. The road to recovery requires getting the support one needs to cope with life’s trials and tribulations.
Make a few health-wise life changes – a nutritional diet coupled with following a regular fitness program are healthy ways to ward off an imbalanced brain chemistry associated with depression.
Sell Your Fire-Damaged House
If you recently suffered a house fire and want to sell a fire-damaged house instead of go through a lengthy, stressful repair process, contact We Buy Fire Damaged Houses today. We buy burned homes in “as-is” condition and we pay all cash.
Fill out the form below to learn more.
Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash