I just took a mental health test. What next?

So you’ve just taken an online mental health test. Depending on which test you took, why you took it, and what the results were… you might be feeling a lot of things.

• If your results were positive (for example, “Moderate Depression”), maybe you feel validated. You finally have a name for what you’ve been going through! Still, you might also feel a bit uneasy. What should you do next? Does this mean you need to find a therapist or take medication?
• If your results were negative (for example, “ADHD Unlikely”), you might feel a little bit relieved. But you’re also left with some unanswered questions. Maybe you don’t have ADHD, but you’re still procrastinating a lot and having trouble paying attention in class. You were hoping that ADHD meds could be the solution. How are you supposed to solve the problem now?
• Maybe you tested for something you’ve known you had for a long time. Maybe you were hoping your depression symptoms would get better over time, but your Depression Test score is actually getting worse. Hopefully this inspires you to get the help you need—but it can just as easily make you feel discouraged.
• Some mental health conditions have a reputation for being “worse” than others. This reputation is called stigma. When a mental health condition has a lot of stigma, it may feel insulting to be diagnosed with it—or shameful to talk about it with others. Your first reaction might be denial. “Not me! I’m still in control.” You might be tempted to retake the test over and over. “Maybe I exaggerated a little the first time. Maybe if I change my answers just a little, I can prove that I really don’t have a problem…”

These are all perfectly normal reactions! Millions of people take our mental health tests every year—and most of them probably go through similar thoughts and feelings. The first thing to know is that you’re not alone! It’s okay to take some time to process the new information you’ve just learned about yourself.

But sooner or later, it’ll be time to act. Here are some of the next steps you might take:

• Get a second opinion—are the results from these tests really accurate? What do they mean for me? You might also consider taking a few more mental health tests while you’re here. Many people deal with multiple mental health conditions at once. Maybe “depression” does an ok job of describing your experiences, but “bipolar disorder” is more accurate.
• Learn all you can about whatever mental health condition you tested positive for. Knowledge is power, after all! This website has lots of information about many mental health conditions.
• Learn from people with lived experience. Don’t spend all your time on WebMD. Find ways to hear from people who have been through the same things you’re going through. Lots of people share their stories in online communities like Reddit and TikTok or on websites like The Mighty. (By the way, everything on this website was written and reviewed by people living with mental health conditions!)
• Tell someone you trust. Dealing with mental health problems on your own can feel very lonely. It’s easy to feel lost and overwhelmed. Talking about what you’re going through can help you feel less alone and move forward.
• Try self-help tools or lifestyle changes. Mental health is all about your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Things like journalling, mental health workbooks, getting more physical activity, or improving your sleeping habits can go a long way in helping you feel better.
• Get formal treatment, like therapy or medication. This can be intimidating for a lot of people. Not everyone has an easy time accessing treatment—and not everyone needs it. But it’s okay to need this kind of help! Sometimes our friends, family, and self-care can only get us so far.
• Test again in a few weeks. Taking a mental health test every few weeks can help you track how you’re doing over time. Is your anxiety getting worse or better? Are things you’re trying helping, or do you need more support? Even if you got a low score (“mild depression” or “PTSD negative”), you came here for a reason—maybe your mild depression was a warning sign of harder times to come.

Improving our mental health is a lifelong journey for all of us. And I do mean all of us! One in four people will experience a mental illness during their lives—but we all have mental health. Despite how it may feel, you are not alone!

This website is designed to help you get started on your mental health journey. No matter what your next step is, we have resources to help! Explore the links below to learn more about how to take your next steps.