Symptoms / Diagnosis
By Nancy Schimelpfening, About.com Guide
Could You Be Depressed?
While a screening test can't diagnose depression, it can help familiarize you with the symptoms of depression so that you can determine if you may need to seek professional help.
- Depression Symptoms Screening Quiz
- Wakefield Depression Questionnaire
- Other Types of Screening Tests
- National Depression Screening Day
Types of Depression
Depressive disorders may be classified as major depressive, dysthymic, or not otherwise specified -- a catch-all for conditions that do not fit the other categories. Specifiers, such as atypical, postpartum, or seasonal, may be added to a diagnosis to describe the nature of the most recent episode of depression or the course of the illness over time. Depression may also be part of bipolar disorder, in which a patient experiences alternating periods of depression and mania. It may seem like depression is depression, but there are many shades of grey that set one type apart from another.
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Dysthymic Disorder
- Is It Bipolar Disorder or Depression?
- Postpartum Depression
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Atypical Depression Actually Very Typical
- What Is Bipolar Disorder?
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of depression can seem both subtle or pronounced. Knowing what to be on the lookout for can help you determine when it's time to see a doctor.
- Most Common Depression Symptoms
- Atypical Depression Symptoms
- Signs and Symptoms of Depression in Children
- Is There a Difference Between Male and Female Depression Symptoms?
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Symptoms
- Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms
- Major Depressive Disorder Symptoms
- Dysthymic Disorder Symptoms
- Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
Getting an Formal Diagnosis
In order to make a diagnosis of depression, your doctor uses a set of diagnostic criteria found in a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. During his interview with you he will look for any signs of depression that you may be exhibiting and ask you about your symptoms. He will also ask about your and your family's medical history. In certain cases, he will also order laboratory tests to rule out any other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.
- How Is Depression Diagnosed?
- What Are the DSM-IV Criteria for Major Depressive Disorder?
- Whom Should You See to Get a Diagnosis?
- Depression Blood Tests
- Could You Be Misdiagnosed?
- What Do Provisional Diagnosis and Differential Diagnosis Mean?
- How Is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Diagnosed?
Common Causes of Depression
In a general sense, depression is caused by an imbalance in chemical messengers in the brain called neurotransmitters; however, a variety of factors - including your genetic makeup, your environment, your physical condition and your psychological coping resources - interact together to determine whether you will develop depression.
- Brain Chemistry Basics
- Can You Become Depressed for No Reason?
- Cortisol and Depression
- Premenstrual Depression
- Postpartum Depression
- Hypothyroidism
- Seasonal Affective Disorder
- Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies
- Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acid Imbalance
- Depression's Genetic Link
- Grief and Loss
- What Causes Anxiety?
- Most Common Causes of Depression
Concerned for a Loved One?
It is very important for those who love a depressed person--as well as the depression person themselves--to understand that a depressed person suffers from a very real illness. A depressed person cannot just "snap out of it" or "cheer up". They are not weak, lazy, defective, or seeking attention. They are ill and need your help.
