0 – Severely depressed, suicidal and/or homicidal, immediate inpatient treatment necessary, inability to function (in daily activities)
1 – Severely depressed, somewhat suicidal and/or homicidal, monitoring necessary, inpatient treatment likely necessary, inability to function
2 – Severely depressed, passing suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts, monitoring recommended, inpatient treatment optional, great difficulty functioning
3 – Moderately depressed, passing suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts, monitoring optional, some difficulty functioning
4 – Mildly depressed, passing suicidal and/or homicidal thoughts, monitoring optional, low difficulty functioning
5 – Emotionally numb, in a state of existence, no suicidal and/or homicidal ideations, no monitoring necessary, some ability to function, borderline mood (potential for change to 4 or 6)
6 – Mildly happy, content, no suicidal and/or homicidal ideations, little functioning problems
7 – Moderately happy, upbeat, no functioning problems
8 – Moderately happy, optimistic, positive, no functioning problems
9 – Extremely happy, optimistic, cheerful, positive, “in a good mood,” “feel great,” no functioning problems
10 – Extremely happy, potentially manic, active, energetic, euphoric, ability to function may vary
*A plus (+) sign, used only for numbers below 5, indicate that there is no suicidal ideation.
depression introspection 
It’s a pity that companies for medications try to make a fortune from such a serious and personal problem like depression.
i disagree that mental illness is a fabrication ladies. sure the drug companies are using their marketing ploys to rake in more money but surely that is what a lot of the major companies do including non pharmaceutical related organasations. Fat cats are everywhere and they all want to get rich at whatever the cost. i know medication is not the be all and end all but it certainly helps, bit like a cast on a broken leg. I think the main problem with antidepressant medication is that everyone reacts differently to them so it can take a while to find the right drug and equally the right dose. it can be frustrating but it is worth it in the long run.