Quiz: Where are your blues coming from?

Scoring

A score of 4 or more As indicates that you feel down - and excessively so - most of the time. You may even have symptoms of clinical depression. If you've felt this blue for more than two weeks, it would be a good idea to see a doctor. Perhaps you are suffering from the side-effects of a medication. Have you recently started taking a heart drug, for example? Alternatively, your doctor may suggest that you visit a psychotherapist, who might recommend cognitive therapy or antidepressants.

A score of 4 or more Bs suggests that the blues come and go in regular intervals, although you may not have noticed unless you've been keeping track in a diary. Such intervals may mean that your moods are following hormonal changes related to your menstrual cycle (PMS) or to perimenopause or menopause. Try keeping a journal or chart to record your mood or state of mind each day. If the evidence points to PMS-related depression, there are a number of things you can do. Simply switching to a different birth control pill might help. Many women find that a balanced diet - rich in carbohydrates, calcium, magnesium and vitamins E and B6, and low in fat, salt and caffeine - greatly relieves PMS symptoms, including mood swings. Others swear by increased activity and getting plenty of rest.

If you are among the estimated three to five per cent of women who suffer from debilitating PMS-related depression, you may require more dramatic intervention - such as prescribed antidepressants. "You take them for 14 days each month, from ovulation to menstruation," explains Dr. Shaila Misri, a practising psychiatrist and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

A score of 4 or more Cs suggests that something has recently happened in your life that is making you feel down. These circumstantial blues could be linked to the death of a loved one, an illness or accident affecting a loved one, a troubled relationship or a job loss. Once you've identified the source, you can tackle it. Could you take time off work to grieve? Is there an unresolved issue with your partner that you need to deal with? Perhaps you need to seek outside help to deal with a troubled teen or financial difficulties. Just having a plan can get you on your way out of the dumps. Again, don't be afraid to take your concerns to a doctor; he might recommend a psychologist, therapist or grief specialist who could be helpful.

A score of 4 or more Ds is a strong signal that you're overextended. You might be constantly running against the clock while juggling a multitude of commitments, routinely feeling frustrated by tasks you can't get to or feeling inadequate because of jobs that are poorly done. If so, is it any wonder that you feel down? To get your life back, start by taking a 10-minute walk at lunchtime, going to bed half an hour earlier, having lunch with a friend or making a date to go out with your partner once a month. And give some thought to your physical health; quit smoking, curb your alcohol intake, go to bed earlier and make sure you're eating well.

A score of 4 or more Es suggests that even though you feel sad occasionally - as most people do - you've developed strategies for coping with problems and springing back. By and large, you lead a balanced life.