Polish-language adaptation of the Oxford Depression Questionnaire (ODQ)

Abstract

Emotional disorders associated with antidepressant treatment (e.g. anhedonia and emotional blunting) are significant clinical and research concerns which influence treatment effectiveness and patients’ quality of life. Nearly one-third of patients treated with antidepressants report experiencing apathy, with approximately 8% describing it as moderate to severe. Similarly, about 40% report a loss of motivation, with 12% characterising this symptom as moderate or severe. The Oxford Depression Questionnaire (ODQ) is a standardised tool developed to assess the severity, differentiation, and duration of emotional disorders related to the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressants, distinguishing them from core depressive symptoms, such as anhedonia. The ODQ consists of 26 items divided into three sections, assessing weekly emotional experiences, changes compared to before the illness, and the influence of antidepressants on emotional functioning. This study presents the Polish-language adaptation of the ODQ, deemed appropriate for both clinical and research purposes, providing a robust tool for assessing SSRI-induced emotional changes and aiding in differential diagnosis and treatment planning.