While it is true that there are no specific medical tests such as laboratory testing that can definitively diagnose depression, doctors are able to recognize the symptoms of depression based primarily on a patients description of their symptoms and make an accurate diagnosis.
Depression is basically a blanket term used to describe the primary symptoms of prolonged and intense sadness experienced with one of many specific depression disorders.
Therefore, when making an initial diagnosis of depression, a physician will then determine the particular type of depression the patient is suffering from.
Some of these specific types include "major depression" - often referred to as "clinical depression" - and "chronic depression" or "dysthymia".
The Initial Evaluation for the Symptoms of Depression During the initial visit when a physician suspects a patient may have a form of depression, he or she will do a physical examination as well as inquire about the patient's family and medical history.
When performing the physical examination, the physician will attempt to rule out any underlying medical conditions that could be causing the symptoms of depression.
The doctor will ask several questions including whether or not there is a family history of depression as well as if the patient is experiencing any of the following specific symptoms of depression: • Deep sadness or grief that lasts for extended periods of time, anxiety, and empty or depressed moods.
• Loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities or activities in which you used to enjoy.
• Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, pessimism, worthlessness, or guilt.
• Short temperament or irritability and feelings of restlessness.
• Crying excessively for no apparent reason.
• Difficulty sleeping or over sleeping.
• Feeling fatigued, weakness, or lack of energy.
• Lack of concentration, memory loss, having trouble or being unable to make decisions.
• Changes in eating habits that can include lack of appetite or over eating as well as a significant change in weight.
• Physical symptoms that may include gastrointestinal or digestive problem with no underlying medical reason.
• Lack of self-esteem, or a poor or distorted image of oneself.
• Suicidal thoughts or tendency Confirming a Diagnosis of Depression When a physician is considering making a diagnosis of depression after having ruled out all other obvious causes, he or she will review all of the information obtained during this initial visit paying particular attention to the patient's description of their symptoms.
The criteria that must be met in order to make a definitive diagnosis of depression includes having five or more of the above symptoms in addition to the symptoms of sadness that is persistent, feelings of anxiousness, or empty moods, and loss of pleasure or interest in activities normally done on a daily basis.
These symptoms must also have been experienced for at least a period of two weeks or more on a daily or near daily basis.
In order to confirm the diagnosis of depression the physician may order further testing that will include laboratory tests to eliminate the possibility of certain serious diseases that are known to cause depression like symptoms with the most common being hypothyroidism.
Depression can sometimes be difficult to diagnose because in the majority of cases there are no obvious physical symptoms and the doctor must rely primarily on the patient's description.
Therefore, if you or a loved is suffering from what you suspect may be depression, it is extremely beneficial to you and your doctor to write down all of the signs and symptoms experienced as well as any questions or concerns that you may have regarding this illness.