The Emotional Wellness Assessment is a tool that broadly covers various mental health issues including depression, anxiety, mania/hypomania, impulsivity, addiction, and other possible concerns over the past 6 weeks. While the assessment is not all-inclusive nor is it diagnostic, it is a tool that can be used to identify specific areas of concern to focus on improving. Taking the assessment routinely can help you see progress or areas of concern throughout your journey. Mild symptoms are generally worth noting and learning skills to better understand the emotion and to better cope. Moderate to severe symptoms generally require specific skills that can be learned in therapy. Talking with your doctor about medication may also be helpful or necessary depending on your individual need. We encourage you to discuss the results of the test with your therapist. It is broken into different sections with score ranges in each section. The following represents a brief description of score breakdowns in each section:
Low mood is an emotional state characterized by feelings of sadness, anxiety, low self-esteem, tiredness, and frustration ¹. It is a temporary feeling of sadness or unhappiness that everyone experiences every now and then. It’s normal to feel down occasionally, particularly when you’re stressed or going through personal challenges, or disappointments ². However, if the low mood persists for a few days or weeks, it could be a sign of depression ⁴.
Some common symptoms of low mood include feeling sad or tearful, feeling bad about yourself, feeling “empty,” little interest or pleasure in doing things, desire to isolate yourself from people, difficulty sleeping, sleeping too much, feeling tired and lacking energy, feeling irritated or agitated, difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly, poor appetite, overeating, moving or speaking more slowly than normal ¹³.
If you are experiencing low mood, talking to someone about what you’re going through can help to resolve your feelings of sadness and worry. A doctor will also be able to give you practical advice about dealing with low mood; where appropriate they may prescribe medication and arrange counseling ¹. Remember, it’s okay to not be okay sometimes, and there is always help available if you need it.
Compare your score for the Overt app to the scoring below to determine if you might be struggling with Low Mood.
0-13: Low mood
Mild sadness, some depression.
13-25: Moderately low mood
More frequent sadness, tearfulness, depression.
25-39: High levels of low mood
Frequent sadness, tearfulness, hopelessness, depression.
(1) What is low mood? | Doctor Care Anywhere | Doctor Care Anywhere. https://doctorcareanywhere.com/what-we-treat/mental-health/low-mood/what-is-low-mood-and-what-causes-low-mood/.
(2) Low mood: meaning, symptoms and coping – Priory. https://www.priorygroup.com/blog/low-mood.
(3) Low mood and depression – NHS inform. https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/mental-wellbeing/low-mood-and-depression/low-mood-and-depression.
(4) Low mood – Every Mind Matters – NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/low-mood/.
Anxiety is an emotional state characterized by apprehension and nervousness about impending events or anticipation that causes impairment in your life, and it is difficult to control the worrisome thoughts.². It is a normal and adaptive response to stress or danger, but it can become excessive or irrational when the perceived threat is out of proportion to the actual risk³. Anxiety can cause physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms, such as racing heart, sweating, trembling, nausea, difficulty breathing, chest pain, feeling dizzy, restless, or nervous, having trouble sleeping, concentrating, or relaxing, avoiding situations or people that trigger anxiety, or experiencing irrational fears or worries³.
Anxiety can interfere with daily functioning and quality of life, and it may be associated with other mental health disorders, such as depression, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder³. There are different types of anxiety disorders, such as generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, phobia, separation anxiety disorder, and agoraphobia, each with their own specific triggers and symptoms³.
Anxiety can be treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both³. Some self-help strategies that may help reduce anxiety include practicing relaxation techniques, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, seeking social support, and challenging negative thoughts³. If you are experiencing anxiety that is affecting your daily life, you should consult a doctor or a mental health professional for diagnosis and treatment..
Compare your score for the Overt app to the scoring below to determine if you might be struggling with Anxiety.
10-27: Mild Anxiety
27-40: Moderate Anxiety
40-57: High/Severe Anxiety
(1) Anxiety Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anxiety.
(2) Anxiety – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety.
(3) What is Anxiety and its causes and related conditions?. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/symptoms/Anxiety/hp-anxiety.
(4) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety.
Problematic stress is a type of stress that lasts a long time, or makes you feel overwhelmed and unable to cope with your situation¹. It can have negative effects on your physical and mental health, such as high blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, and depression²³⁴. Problematic stress can interfere with your daily functioning and quality of life, and it may require professional help to manage¹⁴. Some ways to cope with problematic stress include seeking social support, practicing relaxation techniques, exercising regularly, and challenging negative thoughts²³..
Compare your score for the Overt app to the scoring below to determine if you might be struggling with Problematic Stress.
0-11: Mild stress
11-22: Moderate stress
22-33: High levels of stress
(1) What Is Stress? Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Coping – Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/stress-and-health-3145086.
(2) Stress – normal versus problematic, fight or flight | healthdirect. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/stress.
(3) I’m So Stressed Out! Fact Sheet – National Institute of Mental … – NIMH. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/so-stressed-out-fact-sheet.
(4) Stress won’t go away? Maybe you are suffering from chronic stress. https://www.apa.org/topics/stress/chronic.
Atypical, elevated mood is an emotional state characterized by feelings of happiness, excitement, confidence, and increased energy that are not typical for the person or the situation¹. It is different from normal or typical elevated mood, which is usually a positive and healthy response to pleasant events or achievements. Atypical elevated mood can be a symptom of a mental health disorder, such as bipolar disorder, cyclothymia, or substance-induced mood disorder²³.
Some common signs of atypical elevated mood include feeling extremely happy or euphoric, having grandiose or unrealistic ideas, being more talkative or sociable than usual, being easily distracted or restless, engaging in risky or impulsive behaviors, having decreased need for sleep, or experiencing increased sexual drive²³. If you are experiencing atypical elevated mood that is affecting your daily life, you should consult a doctor or a mental health professional for diagnosis and treatment.
Compare your score for the Overt app to the scoring below to determine if you might be struggling with Atypical Elevated Mood (Hypomania).
12-27: Elevated mood.
This represents a state of happiness, excitement, impulsive behavior, or energy levels beyond what is typical for an individual. Scoring in this level may require further assessment for mania/hypomania.
(1) Atypical Depression: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment – Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21131-atypical-depression.
(2) Understanding Atypical Depression: Symptoms & Treatment – PsyCom. https://www.psycom.net/depression.central.atypical.html.
(3) Atypical bipolar: Definition, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/atypical-bipolar.
Difficulties with anger regulation are when a person has trouble controlling or expressing their anger in appropriate ways. Anger is a normal and healthy emotion, but when it is too intense, frequent, or destructive, it can cause problems in relationships, work, school, and health¹². Some common signs of difficulties with anger regulation include feeling irritable, frustrated, or resentful, having frequent arguments or conflicts with others, being verbally or physically aggressive, throwing or breaking things, feeling guilty or ashamed after an anger episode, or having trouble calming down or letting go of anger¹².
Difficulties with anger regulation can be caused by various factors, such as stress, trauma, personality, genetics, or learned behavior¹². There are different ways to cope with anger, such as learning to recognize and manage triggers, practicing relaxation techniques, expressing anger assertively but respectfully, seeking social support, or seeking professional help if anger interferes with daily functioning or causes harm to oneself or others¹².
Compare your score for the Overt app to the scoring below to determine if you might be struggling with Anger Regulation Difficulties.
8-12: Some difficulty regulating anger and behaviors associated with anger.
(1) Dysregulation: Definition, Symptoms, Traits, Causes, Treatment. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-dysregulation-5073868.
(2) Emotional dysregulation: Causes, symptoms, and related disorders. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dysregulation.
(3) Emotional Dysregulation: Definition, Signs, Conditions, and Coping. https://psychcentral.com/blog/what-is-affect-or-emotion-dysregulation.
(4) Emotional Dysregulation: What It Is and How You Can Cope – WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-emotional-dysregulation.
Impulsivity is a tendency to act on a whim, displaying behavior characterized by little or no forethought, reflection, or consideration of the consequences¹. It is a normal and adaptive response to stress or danger, but it can become excessive or irrational when the perceived threat is out of proportion to the actual risk². Impulsivity can cause physical, psychological, and behavioral problems, such as substance abuse, gambling, eating disorders, aggression, accidents, poor academic performance, and low self-esteem²³.
Impulsivity can be influenced by various factors, such as personality, genetics, environment, or mental health disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, or borderline personality disorder²³. Impulsivity can be measured by various tests, such as the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, the Stroop test, or the Go/No-Go task² .
Impulsivity can be treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both²³. Some self-help strategies that may help reduce impulsivity include practicing mindfulness, setting goals, planning ahead, rewarding yourself, and seeking social support³ .
Compare your score for the Overt app to the scoring below to determine if you might be struggling with Impulsivity.
10-24: Experiencing some difficulties with impulsivity.
A score in this range shows a tendency to act on impulse without considering the potential consequences of one’s actions. It is characterized by the lack of forethought or planning, disregard for rules or social norms, and a tendency to engage in risky or reckless behavior.
(1) What is Impulsivity and its causes and related conditions?. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/symptoms/Impulsivity/hp-impulsivity.
(2) IMPULSIVITY Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/impulsivity.
(3) Impulsivity – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impulsivity.
(4) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impulsivity.
Addiction is a chronic disorder that involves compulsive engagement in rewarding behavior or substance use despite harmful consequences¹². Addiction affects the brain’s reward, motivation, and memory systems, and can lead to changes in brain structure and function²³. Addiction can cause physical, psychological, and social problems, such as health issues, impaired judgment, mood swings, relationship conflicts, and legal troubles²⁴.
Addiction can be influenced by various factors, such as genetics, environment, personality, or mental health conditions²³. Addiction can be treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of both, depending on the type and severity of the addiction²⁴. Some self-help strategies that may help people with addiction include seeking social support, setting goals, rewarding progress, and avoiding triggers⁴..
Compare your score for the Overt app to the scoring below to determine if you might be struggling with Addiction.
10-30: Having some difficulty with addiction or dependency to substance that has significant consequences.
(1) What is the definition of addiction?. https://microsoftstart.msn.com/en-us/health/ask-professionals/in-expert-answers-on-addiction/in-addiction?questionid=888qq3bs&type=condition&source=bingmainline_conditionqna.
(2) Addiction Definition & Meaning – Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/addiction.
(3) Addiction – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction.
(4) What Is Addiction? Definition, Signs, Treatment, and More – Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/addiction.
(5) undefined. https://microsoftstart.msn.com/.
(6) en.wikipedia.org. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction.
