With the expansion of internet facility, we have adopted a habit of self-diagnosis. Checking with Google for every minor ailment has become common as it is quick, free and partly accurate. Partly because it even indicates cancer as the reason behind an ordinary headache. So better beware. Self-diagnosing has become so prevalent that people suffering from depression also rely on the search engine unaware of the seriousness.
To help those suffering from depression, Google has introduced a new feature which will suggest you to go through a questionnaire when you type 'depression' or 'clinical depression'. Users in United States will be offered help in determining the severity of their depression and whether they seek any professional help. Those searching for information on depression will be shown a box atop mobile which will comprise data on depression. There will also be an option to "check if you're clinically depressed'' which has a set of clinically authenticated questionnaire called PHQ-9. The initiative which has been developed in partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will have questions regarding energy, concentration level, appetite among others. As such information is sensitive and private, the search giant won't store the answers. As per now, the feature will be available only on mobile phones.
Depression is not just about failed love life, workplace blues, disturbed family life and poor career graph. It is more than just your bad mood. Depression inserts the sense of being unworthy in a person, thus making it difficult for him/her to manage even a day. Experts suggest that sharing thoughts with your dear ones, engaging in physical activities along with some medication and counselling can offer a lot of help.
