Depression is often diagnosed through a combination of lab tests and simply talking to a patient. To effectively diagnose and treat depression, the doctor must hear about specific symptoms of depression. They may use a series of standard questions to screen for depression.
The main way a GP will tell if you have depression is by asking you questions about your general health and how the way you're feeling is affecting you mentally and physically. Try to be as open and honest as you can be with your answers.
There's no lab test to diagnose depression, but physical exams and blood tests can help your doctor better understand what's causing your symptoms. Your doctor will likely want to do several tests to rules out other causes of depressive feelings, such as: Hormonal changes. Medication side effects.
“Primary care providers are accustomed to being the first line of defense against depression,” Smith says. “PCPs have different levels of comfort with different mental health disorders, but they all treat major depression. If your situation is more complex, your PCP will refer you to a psychiatrist.”
Medications and psychotherapy are effective for most people with depression. Your primary care doctor or psychiatrist can prescribe medications to relieve symptoms. However, many people with depression also benefit from seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental health professional.
Be as open and honest with your doctor as possible.
They can't help you if they don't know everything that is going on. It can be hard to open up about your feelings, especially with someone you don't know very well. But your doctor is trained to deal with sensitive issues.
For common problems such as depression and anxiety, your GP may be able to give you a diagnosis after one or two appointments. For less common problems you'll need to be referred to a mental health specialist (such as a psychiatrist), and they may want to see you over a longer period of time before making a diagnosis.
Diagnosing depression can be difficult as it can manifest very differently in different people, and at different times. Diagnosis may be delayed because 'symptoms' are non-specific or masked by other health problems.
It can be difficult to tell the difference between common changes in your mood and chronic depression. Talking to your primary care doctor can help you sort that out. The main thing to be aware of is how often you are feeling down or depressed.
If you experience any of these symptoms, you can check in with your GP. Most Australian GPs are trained to recognise the signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression. They can make a diagnosis of your condition and also check for any physical health problems or medications that may be making your symptoms worse.
In your appointment your doctor will probably make an initial assessment by asking questions about: your mood, thoughts and behaviours – sometimes by using questionnaires or forms which measure depression and anxiety. your lifestyle and any recent events in your life that might be affecting your wellbeing.
To diagnose an anxiety disorder, a doctor performs a physical exam, asks about your symptoms, and recommends a blood test, which helps the doctor determine if another condition, such as hypothyroidism, may be causing your symptoms. The doctor may also ask about any medications you are taking.
Depression tests are often in the form of a questionnaire. A physician or mental health professional may ask the questions orally or an individual may be asked to read and answer the questions on paper or on a digital device.
There are no medical tests that can diagnose mental health disorders. But certain blood tests can show if a physical condition, such as thyroid disease or an electrolyte imbalance, is causing mental health symptoms.
Feeling sad or having a depressed mood. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed. Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting. Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much.
Untreated depression increases the chance of risky behaviors such as drug or alcohol addiction. It also can ruin relationships, cause problems at work, and make it difficult to overcome serious illnesses. Clinical depression, also known as major depression, is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts.
If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms, most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks, you may be suffering from depression: Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood. Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism. Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness.
Long-term depression has disastrous effects on skin, because the chemicals associated with the condition can prevent your body from repairing inflammation in cells. "These hormones affect sleep, which will show on our faces in the form of baggy, puffy eyes and a dull or lifeless complexion," says Dr.
Bipolar disorder. This condition has symptoms that cycle from depression to mania. Other mental conditions. These include anxiety disorders, conduct disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), mental illness refers to “conditions that affect a person's thinking, feeling, mood, or behavior.” These can include but aren't limited to depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.
It's important to note that only a mental health professional can diagnose a mental health condition. Therefore, the only way to receive a definite answer to the question, “Do I have a mental illness, or am I overreacting?”, is to get in touch with a professional at an accredited treatment center.
Your local doctor (general practitioner or GP) can help determine if you have a mental health condition. To do this, they will probably conduct a basic assessment of your mental health including a brief interview and physical examination, and they might order some laboratory tests.
feel overwhelmed — unable to concentrate or make decisions. be moody — feeling low or depression; feeling burnt out; emotional outbursts of uncontrollable anger, fear, helplessness or crying. feel depersonalised — not feeling like themselves or feeling detached from situations.