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The low mood that lasts
63 questions·10 min·5 dimensions and a separate readiness-to-change module·up to 18 clinical frameworks·5 report sections
Reviewed by Gildas Garrec, CBT practitioner
Good morning,
This test looks at dysthymia, a low mood state that lasts. It describes the background tone of mood, how long it has been settled, what it changes at work and in relationships, and the possible presence of more intense episodes laid on top. Duration counts as much as intensity here: that is what separates this state from a full depressive episode.
What you receive — a report written from your answers: what stands out, what sustains it, and where to start. This week, this month, later on.
How it is built — each axis is analyzed on its own, then cross-read with the others, through clinical reading frameworks. Your detailed answers are attached as an appendix. See an example report
The test runs over 63 questions and takes about 10 min, for a price of $3.60.
We'd also suggest reading the book The Practical CBT Guide, to take this reflection further. It's included in the price and downloadable.
If you have a question about your report, write to us at contact@psychologieetserenite.com: a psychotherapist will reply within 48 hours.
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The low mood that lasts — a 63-question self-assessment, about 10 min. This test looks at dysthymia, a low mood state that lasts: the background tone, how long it has been settled, its impact, and more intense episodes. Once finished, you receive a detailed PDF report ($3.60): an interpretation of its 5 dimensions, a radar chart, up to 18 clinical reading frameworks and a personalized action plan. It is designed to help you know yourself better.
This interactive test covers mood, time, ups and downs, pleasure, tiredness, daily life, commitments, hope, perseverance, guilt and readiness to change. What the test asks, for example Mood Whether, for months, your days have kept the same gray color from morning to night. Whether the light heart you wake up with stays with you until evening, without sinking along the way. Time Whether the low mood you feel has lasted enough years for you to take it as your normal state. Whether the low mood you're going through is recent and, not long ago, it wasn't there. Ups and downs Whether, after a good spell, the sadness comes back as if nothing had happened. Whether, when a good period starts, it lasts for months, without the low mood coming back. Pleasure Whether, faced with the hobbies you used to enjoy, nothing really interests you anymore. Whether a coffee in the sun or a piece of good news brings you joy during the week. Tiredness Whether you keep up appearances through your days and it costs you a considerable amount of energy. Whether, at the start of the week, you tackle what you have to do with the same motivation as before. Daily life Whether filling in a form or doing the shopping costs you more than it does the people around you. Whether, from one month to the next, the quality of what you do stays the same. Commitments Whether, over the course of the year, you've let opportunities that mattered to you go by because of your state. Whether you finish what you have to do by the date you had set yourself. Hope Whether, on your darkest evenings, you search in vain for something positive in your life. Whether, looking back on your week, you find color and movement in it. Perseverance Whether you feel so bad that the simplest tasks seem impossible to you. Whether, when your spirits drop at the start of the week, you still get through your week. Guilt Whether a crushing guilt holds you from morning to night, without giving you any respite. Whether, from one week to the next, your sadness doesn't go beyond its usual level. Readiness to change Whether what you've just described weighs on your daily life. Whether you want to change the way you function day to day.
About this test
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Dimensions assessed
- ●How you see this low mood- This section measures no difficulty and produces no level: it records how you explain this lingering low mood, before the test looks at the other dimensions.
- ●Chronic low mood- The usual tone of your days, taken as your baseline. That is where the difficulty lies: this level ends up blending into your temperament and is no longer seen as a departure from normal.
- ●Symptom persistence- Duration, treated here as a criterion in its own right. The report places how long this state has been there and how long the lulls last, because persistence is what distinguishes this pattern from a rough patch.
- ●Impact on functioning- The day-to-day cost of functioning, including the energy spent putting on a front. The report takes into account what keeping up appearances uses up, something rarely visible from the outside.
- ●High-intensity symptoms- The dips that go below your usual baseline. This dimension helps distinguish two overlapping movements: a long-standing state, and more acute episodes that come on top of it.
- ●Readiness to change- Your current openness, which the report notes without judging it: it guides the choice between ways of understanding and concrete steps for action.
Reference frameworks and authors
- This test is based on DSM-5 criteria for persistent depressive disorder (formerly dysthymia). It is not a psychometrically validated instrument and does not constitute a clinical diagnosis. The terms 'compatible with' or 'suggestive of' describe an orientation, not a certainty. DSM-5 — Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): Diagnostic Criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 2013)
Why take this test?
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This test looks at dysthymia, a low mood state that lasts. It describes the background tone of mood, how long it has been settled, what it changes at work and in relationships, and the possible presence of more intense episodes laid on top. Duration counts as much as intensity here: that is what separates this state from a full depressive episode.
The questionnaire explores 5 areas: How you see this low mood, Chronic low mood, Symptom persistence, Impact on functioning, High-intensity symptoms. Your answers support reflection, not a diagnosis. A separate module explores readiness to change; it is not another trait of the model presented.
Dimensions explored
These are the aspects explored by this questionnaire. Your answers help put them into perspective.
How you see this low mood
This section measures no difficulty and produces no level: it records how you explain this lingering low mood, before the test looks at the other dimensions.
Chronic low mood
The usual tone of your days, taken as your baseline. That is where the difficulty lies: this level ends up blending into your temperament and is no longer seen as a departure from normal.
Symptom persistence
Duration, treated here as a criterion in its own right. The report places how long this state has been there and how long the lulls last, because persistence is what distinguishes this pattern from a rough patch.
Impact on functioning
The day-to-day cost of functioning, including the energy spent putting on a front. The report takes into account what keeping up appearances uses up, something rarely visible from the outside.
High-intensity symptoms
The dips that go below your usual baseline. This dimension helps distinguish two overlapping movements: a long-standing state, and more acute episodes that come on top of it.
Readiness to change
Your current openness, which the report notes without judging it: it guides the choice between ways of understanding and concrete steps for action.
How does it work?
1
Take the test
Answer the 63 questions honestly. There are no right or wrong answers — just choose the option that best describes you. The test takes about 10 min.
2
Proceed to payment
Once you finish the test, pay $3.60 securely to unlock your full report. No registration required.
3
Download your detailed PDF report
For a comprehensive analysis, get your PDF report (5 dimensions analyzed, radar chart, personalized recommendations, action plan). Instant download after secure payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this test measure?
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This test evaluates 5 psychological dimensions: How you see this low mood, Chronic low mood, Symptom persistence, Impact on functioning, High-intensity symptoms. The report distinguishes the areas explored and their limits of interpretation. A separate module explores readiness to change; it is not another trait of the model presented.
How long does this test take?
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The test contains 63 questions and takes approximately 10 min to complete. You can answer at your own pace — your progress is automatically saved in your browser.
How does this test work?
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The test is anonymous and requires no registration. After completing it, you immediately see a preview of your results. The detailed PDF report, with in-depth analysis, charts and personalized recommendations, is available for $3.60.
Is this test scientifically validated?
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This questionnaire draws on 5 dimensions from recognized psychological frameworks (How you see this low mood, Chronic low mood, Symptom persistence…). It's a self-assessment tool for reflection, not a clinical diagnostic instrument: it has not undergone formal psychometric validation (sample, reliability coefficient) and does not replace a professional assessment.
What does the PDF report contain?
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Your report includes an analysis by dimension, explanations and personalised points for reflection and a separate readiness-to-change module. Scores are interpreted according to the purpose and limitations of this questionnaire.
Is my data kept confidential?
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No account creation, no email required — no sign-up needed at all. Your answers are sent to our servers while you take the test. All data is automatically deleted after 30 days — see our Privacy page for full detail.
Who is this test for?
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Read this test’s introduction and dimensions to check whether they match your situation. Answer from the perspective specified in the instructions.
Can I retake the test later?
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Yes, you can retake this test as many times as you wish. Some people take it again after several months to observe how their profile evolves. Each new attempt generates its own report — previous answers are not reused.
What should I do with my results?
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The report organises your answers and offers points for reflection. You can discuss it with a professional; it does not replace their assessment or prescribe treatment.
Can people close to me also take it?
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Yes. Each person gets their own anonymous, unique report, based on THEIR answers. Comparing profiles within a family or couple can be useful — provided each person takes the test honestly and on their own, without influencing one another during the answers.
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Test developed by Psychologie et Sérénité. Does not replace a professional consultation.