This quiz could really use some refinement.

Honestly, I had a few problems with the quiz. Some of the questions can be contradictory or assumptive in nature, making them impossible to answer for some people. Even if an answer can be inferred in certain scenarios, individuals without knowledge or experience in mental health might not be able to make such inferences with ease.

For example, "I have tried cutting back on my Internet use, gambling, pornography, game playing and/or TV watching and have been unsuccessful." This question is based on the assumption that an individual has a need to cut back on any of these specific issues to begin with, and the success is based upon this assumption.

Another example, "When I eat or look in the mirror, I feel bad about myself." This one should have specified a discomfort with one's image via their perceived weight, not merely their image with reference to the mirror. This could imply that there are other reasons aside from their weight which they may be uncomfortable with. Granted, this one is somewhat implied.

There is this one: "I sometimes hear or see things that others don't hear or see." Does this imply that an individual hears or sees things which are hallucinogenic, or does this imply that this individual merely has a heightened sense of perception? Based on the nature of this website, the former is likely true. However, individuals which are unfamiliar with the various mental health conditions may interpret it as the latter.

"I have little or no desire to engage in sexual activity, although I once did." This one assumes that one actually has had the desire to engage in sexual activity, and this completely overlooks individuals who might value abstinence or may simply be asexual. Perhaps another option which accounts for this would be appropriate.

"My attempts to cut back on my drinking or drug use have been unsuccessful." Again, there is no option for anyone who either drinks responsibly or simply has never used alcohol or drugs. It assumes that an individual suffers from these problems to begin with, and it does not provide an alternative to those who have no experience in this.

Another one: "I sometimes vomit after I eat." This should probably be rephrased for the specific purpose of eating disorders. Otherwise, this could actually suggest a legitimate medical illness, which is not necessarily brought about by an actual eating disorder.

"I've tried quitting smoking, but have been unsuccessful." Again, it needs a "I do not smoke" option.

If people cannot adequately answer these questions, then their score may be off as a result. This quiz really ought to be refined and account for these variables, but for some reason, it seems to make a lot of assumptions which do not apply to everyone.

I think that's a weakness of a lot of self-administered tests. Sometimes I have taken tests which seem to make assumptions, or have questions that are too nonspecific and open-ended to reveal anything truly diagnostic, imo. I don't think these problems necessarily invalidate psych tests, but they probably do dilute the results.

You're absolutely right Krow.

I’m one of those lackadaisical scholars who “tests well.” Testing well has not only driven my scholarly pursuits but my psychological diagnoses and treatments.

When taking that Minnesota Multiphasoid Psychological Personality test (okay - whatever it’s called) I knew that I should answer ‘no’ to the question, “I enjoyed torturing small animals in my youth.” I truthfully answered ‘no,’ but couldn’t imagine (at that time) anyone Number 2 pencilling-in the ‘yes’ oval.

I don’t condone lying, but... I think that many people (I won’t say most), disordered or not, have an inclination toward survival, even those who are cusping suicidal ideation. Once, when I was in an institution and cruising, I said, “god! I feel like I’m dying!” in the presence of staff. I went voluntarily (I always have) for a 3-day lay-in. My pain medication had been delayed for three days and the pain and withdrawal had been the reason for my outburst.

Maybe every binary/multiple-choice/essay test is flawed. Maybe, in this psychotic state, I am grandiose enough to believe that I can pass any psychological test without any red flags that would point to any psychological disturbances?

You have to ask yourself if the psychotic is more likely to admit to torturing small animals or to deny it, even though it had been a youthful pursuit? Not psychopaths, just run-of-the-mill psychotics.

It’s a shame that The Sanity Test is so named; it implies that it can test, well, the sanity of the testee. It doesn’t, of course. As the first message notes, there are problems with some of the questions. There are disclaimers noting that the test isn’t a replacement for actual therapy, etc., but maybe there should be giant ‘for amusement purposes only’ images on each page. As it is I would equate the test with astrology.

Is that fair?