Clinical Depression Diagnosis
Screening, Symptoms, Family History and Physical Examination
Sep 15, 2009
Depression screening and diagnosis is a complicated process. No single diagnostic test exists for clinical depression. Instead a depression diagnosis relies on evidence gathered through personal symptoms, family history, mental health questionnaires and a physical examination.
Symptoms of Depression and Diagnosis
Any symptoms of depression should be reported to the examining doctor. A complete symptom list helps determine if a depression diagnosis is justified or if symptoms arise from a different condition. A comprehensive list of depression symptoms also helps determine if the patient suffers from a major depressive episode or one of the other types of depression.
A doctor’s visit can be stressful, and many people forget to report all their symptoms during visits. This common problem worsens when symptoms of depression are present. Depression may leave people feeling unmotivated, impair memory and trigger feelings of worthlessness—all of which can interfere with reporting symptoms completely and accurately.
One option is to write up a list of symptoms to take to the doctor’s appointment. Some people also find it helpful to bring a friend or family member to the appointment. The companion can help the depressed person remember symptoms, and may provide valuable insight into personality changes and other depression symptoms that depressed individuals often find difficult to judge with accuracy.
Physical Examinations for Depression Screening
A number of physical conditions mimic symptoms of depression, so a thorough physical examination is an essential part of the depression screening process. Doctors may order a number of medical tests while diagnosing depression, including thyroid tests and a complete blood count. Doctors will also ask if there is a family history of mental illness or certain physical conditions that can mimic depression.
Expect to be asked about possible alcohol and drug abuse during a depression screening. It’s best to answer such questions honestly. Depression and substance abuse are often seen together. When both conditions are present the patient is said to have a dual diagnosis. Treating depression with accompanying substance abuse differs from other types of depression treatment.
Part of the physical examination will include developing a list of prescription and over the counter medication the patient currently takes. Some medications cause side effects that mimic depression, as do some drug interactions. The list should include any vitamins, supplements or herbal remedies taken, as these may also interact with medication and each other.
Diagnosing Depression through Psychological Evaluation
If no physical cause for depression symptoms presents itself, a psychological evaluation is the next part of the diagnostic process. Patients (and often family members) fill in detailed mental health questionnaires rating the patient’s symptoms, thoughts and feelings. This information is evaluated and reviewed in combination with personal interviews with mental health professionals.
Like physical conditions, a number of mental health conditions produce symptoms similar to depression. Treatment for these mental conditions may be quite different from depression treatment, and part of the psychological evaluation is to rule out the presence of these conditions. It’s not uncommon for a depression screening to reveal a different mental health condition from depression, or to discover another condition coexisting with depression.
Diagnosing depression requires doctors to shift through evidence provided by symptoms, rule out other physical causes, and differentiate between medication side effects, different mental disorders and actual depression. Painstaking though the process is, depression screening is an essential precursor to successful depression treatment.
Resources
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (Retrieved 31 August, 2009). Depression (Major Depression)
National Institute of Mental Health. (Retrieved 31 August, 2009). Depression
Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute in any way for care and treatment by a qualified health professional.
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