Do Online Mental Health Tests Actually Work?

Here's what's happening on the HealthyPlace site this week:

• Do Online Mental Health Tests Actually Work?
• From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs
• Video: Bipolar Disorder Recovery. Really?!
• Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans
• Mental Health Quote

Do Online Mental Health Tests Actually Work?

Facing mental health challenges is confusing. Many websites offer tests to help you sort out your mental health symptoms. They’re often free, confidential, and come with the promise of answers. But do online mental health tests work? Consider these guidelines:

• Use a credible source. The online psychological tests offered at HealthyPlace, for example, are based on reliable sources such as the DSM-5 and actual psychological tests, such as the Goldberg Depression Questionnaire. On the other end of the spectrum, Facebook quizzes such as “How Sensitive is Your OCD Radar?” are inaccurate and misleading.
• Analyze your results. Don’t rely on what the test tells you. Instead, write down your symptoms and how they are interfering in your life. Match your list to your test results and see if they line up.
• Take more than one and compare results for consistency. But…
• Limit your test taking. Don’t spend lots of time taking many different tests. Take a few, gather your information, and use it to go forward.

One of the most important things to remember about online mental health tests is that no online test is designed to diagnose. Online tests can help you organize your symptoms and act as a tool for talking to loved ones, doctors, therapists, and more. When used properly, online mental health tests can provide valuable insight that can lead to healing.

Related Articles Dealing with Assessment and Online Mental Health Testing

• Psychology Tests
• Mental Illness Diagnosis Tests
• Mental Health Assessment and Screening Tools
• How to Diagnose Mental Illness
• What Mental Illness Do I Have?

Your Thoughts

Today's Question: In what ways have you found online mental health tests to be helpful or not helpful? We invite you to participate by sharing your thoughts, experiences, and knowledge on the HealthyPlace Facebook page and on the HealthyPlace Google+ page.

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From the HealthyPlace Mental Health Blogs

On all our blogs, your comments and observations are welcomed.

• How I Found the Right Treatment for Bipolar 2 Disorder
• The Effects of Lack of Sleep on Bipolar Disorder
• Coping With Side Effects of Antidepressants
• Tips for Coping with Mental Illness Stigma at School
• Accepting Unavoidable PTSD Triggers
• Dealing with Mental Illness in the Workplace Isn’t Easy
• Create Mental Health Safety Contracts for Teens with Bipolar
• Surviving Negative Thoughts That Make Me Cry Myself to Sleep
• Irritable, Angry and Anxious: Anger Management and Anxiety
• The Meaning of Courage, Anxiety, and You
• Practical Self-Care Tips for Mental Illness
• Three Barriers to Eating Disorder Recovery

Feel free to share your thoughts and comments at the bottom of any blog post. And visit the mental health blogs homepage for the latest posts.

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From HealthyPlace YouTube Channel

Bipolar Disorder Recovery. Really?!

Bipolar recovery is a term I try to stay away from when talking about my life with bipolar 2 disorder. In fact, I think it’s destructive and misleading to those who are dealing with bipolar disorder.

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Most Popular HealthyPlace Articles Shared by Facebook Fans

Here are the top 3 mental health articles HealthyPlace Facebook fans are recommending you read:

1. How to Talk to Your College Student about Mental Illness
2. Setting Limits in Addiction Recovery: My Goodbye to Debunking Addiction
3. Mental Health Advice From a Tarot Reading

If you're not already, I hope you'll join us/like us on Facebook too. There are a lot of wonderful, supportive people there.

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Mental Health Quote

"She was like the moon...part of her was always hidden."

Read more mental health quotes.

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That's it for now. If you know of anyone who can benefit from this newsletter or the HealthyPlace.com site, I hope you'll pass this onto them. You can also share the newsletter on any social network (like facebook, stumbleupon, or google+) you belong to by clicking the links below. For updates throughout the week, circle HealthyPlace on Google+, follow HealthyPlace on Twitter or become a fan of HealthyPlace on Facebook. Also, check out HealthyPlace on Pinterest and share your mental health pins on our Share Your Mental Health Experiences board.

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