A picture of a young woman at a window with her head in her hands. The text above says, in gaudy type, “Take the free mental health quiz!”

With anxiety and concern the new normal, it’s hard to get a handle on where your mental state is at. Are you worrying too much? Is crying every day to be expected? Take the quiz to find out!*

The Mental Health Quiz!

The quiz has 20 statements. Read each one and think about how often you felt that way over the past week. Then make a note of the number which is closest to this. (Careful! The scoring isn’t always the same.)

1. I have felt alone, isolated - sometimes like the sole passenger of a drifting ship, at other points the only viewer of a reality TV show about everyone else in the whole wide world.

Not at all 0
Only occasionally 1
Sometimes 2
Often 3
Most or all of the time 4

2. I have felt tense, anxious or nervous, without knowing why, and despite anxiety seeming completely redundant given this reality.

Not at all 0
Only occasionally 1
Sometimes 2
Often 3
Most or all of the time 4

3. I have felt, you know, ok about myself.

Not at all 4
Only occasionally 3
Sometimes 2
Often 1
Most or all of the time 0

4. I wonder if I’ve ever had energy — though I feel as if I must, at some point, long ago — or I question whether enthusiasm exists as a construct outside fiction or the sales patter of business.

Not at all 0
Only occasionally 1
Sometimes 2
Often 3
Most or all of the time 4

5. I have felt able to cope when things go wrong - on some gut level, I know I’ve got this, despite the real and imagined chaos around me.

Not at all 4
Only occasionally 3
Sometimes 2
Often 1
Most or all of the time 0

Keeping in touch by video chatting with friends and family can help you keep connected.

6. Talking to people has felt too much for me. Talking itself seems strange if I think about it whilst moving my mouth. Why are voices?

Not at all 0
Only occasionally 1
Sometimes 2
Often 3
Most or all of the time 4

7. Tension and anxiety have prevented me doing important things or, on some days, anything at all.

Not at all 0
Only occasionally 1
Sometimes 2
Often 3
Most or all of the time 4

8. I’m not smug about it or anything, but I’ve been happy with the things I have done.

Not at all 4
Only occasionally 3
Sometimes 2
Often 1
Most or all of the time 0

9. I have been disturbed by unwanted thoughts and feelings. I have reached for the number to inform the police or council about others in my area. My fingers have itched for the water pistol when I hear them in their gardens with guests. I have mentally questioned strangers in the park about their current living arrangements.

Not at all 0
Only occasionally 1
Sometimes 2
Often 3
Most or all of the time 4

10. I have felt like crying. Indeed, I might often have been crying. I might have found myself crying without knowing why.

Not at all 0
Only occasionally 1
Sometimes 2
Often 3
Most or all of the time 4

Pets are the only company for many people right now.

11. I have felt panic, terror, existential dread.

Not at all 0
Only occasionally 1
Sometimes 2
Often 3
Most or all of the time 4

12. I have had no difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep.

Not at all 4
Only occasionally 3
Sometimes 2
Often 1
Most or all of the time 0

13. I have felt warmth or affection for someone, perhaps even — against all odds — a person I’ve been imprisoned with.

Not at all 4
Only occasionally 3
Sometimes 2
Often 1
Most or all of the time 0

14. I’m not saying this is a breeze, or anything, but, you know, it’s not that hard, is it? So I’ve been able to do most things I needed to.

Not at all 4
Only occasionally 3
Sometimes 2
Often 1
Most or all of the time 0

15. I have felt despairing, hopeless. It’s not that the abyss is looking back into me — I am the abyss.

Not at all 0
Only occasionally 1
Sometimes 2
Often 3
Most or all of the time 4

Many people are struggling with 24/7 childcare right now, including this family dressed in matching white T-shirts.

16. I thought I had friends, but I’ve seen that they partake in quizzes and chats without me and now I know I was lying to myself. I have none.

Not at all 0
Only occasionally 1
Sometimes 2
Often 3
Most or all of the time 4

17. I have been irritable when with other people. I have developed skills in passive aggression that both disgust and impress me.

Not at all 0
Only occasionally 1
Sometimes 2
Often 3
Most or all of the time 4

18. I have questioned all the life choices that have brought me to this moment.

Not at all 0
Only occasionally 1
Sometimes 2
Often 3
Most or all of the time 4

19. I feel sort of strange saying this right now, but I’m optimistic about the future!

Not at all 4
Only occasionally 3
Sometimes 2
Often 1
Most or all of the time 0

20. I have felt criticised, humiliated or shamed by other people, including mainstream media or strangers on the internet, whether I deserved it or not.

Not at all 0
Only occasionally 1
Sometimes 2
Often 3
Most or all of the time 4

Tensions are almost inevitable for couples living in lockdown together.

Getting your total score:

All done? Add your scores together, then divide the total by 20, then multiply it by 10!

Now look below to see what your score says about your current mental state and how you’re coping under lockdown.

What does your score mean?

0 - 10

Your score indicates you are currently experiencing a low level of anxiety or depression. Suspiciously low, in fact. You do realise that there’s an international pandemic right now? Has it occurred to you that you might be in denial? Actually, let’s not open that door, just in case your carefully constructed, assured exterior shatters like an egg shell and we’re all covered in poultry goo. Keep on keeping on, I suppose! But maybe put some care plans in place for yourself once this is all over with, just in case you do begin to leak some emotions.

11 - 15

Get you! You’ve genuinely got a handle on this without pretending everything’s all roses out there. You’re somewhat insulated from social pressure — you’ll clap if you want to — and you’re getting on as best you can, having adjusted your expectations of yourself and others given that things are utterly bizarre out there. You allow time for yourself to feel low, but don’t feel too guilty when you’re feeling ok. Plus those memes you’re sharing are a public service.

15.1 - 20

I hear you, and, if you want one, I’m offering you an imaginary hug. You know what? Your feelings are completely understandable given the disaster out there. The majority of people are vacillating between functioning in a fairly ordinary way, and then having sudden spun-out moments (or days) where the utter bizarreness comes up from behind and whacks them on the head, leaving them in a disorientated state. Go with it. It’s just your brain trying to make sense of what cannot be made sense of, but it’s going to keep on trying. You’re ok.

20.1 - 25

This is hard for you, I know. Things are crazy out there. What’s slightly comforting is that pretty much everyone is in agreement about that, so you’re far from alone in feeling disillusioned and disappointed. The trick is to really think about what’s within your sphere of control. Actually stop and think about it. Draw it. Focus on what you can influence in your own life and let yourself have some time to do whatever you fancy. Also, and I’m just going to suggest this gently, you might want to consider spending a bit less time on news sites and social media, particularly Reddit. It’s not on you to keep track of events nationally or globally. Relieve yourself of that responsibility, for a start.

25.1+

Oh, sweetie. I know things are tough right now, even tougher and more confusing than they usually are. But just because things are difficult in numerous different ways for others, that doesn’t mean it’s selfish to feel things. Your feelings are valid. You deserve self-care. Find a nook, one where there’s a chance for the sun to touch your stressed out skin (hello, anxiety related eczema!), bundle yourself up so you feel as safe as you can possibly feel, and read a favourite book or watch a beloved film or TV episode. When you feel up to it, reach out to a few friends and let them know how you’re feeling. Hugs, if you want them.

Yoga is one way to exercise within your own home.

*Disclaimer: While this ‘quiz’ has been clearly adapted from a popular psychological assessment tool, it has no psychological validity and it is not intended to be used for serious self-assessment. The writer bears no responsibility for any upset feelings in response to the statements or the patronising advice.