Bell Foundation®
Supporting Mental Health Research
  • ABOUT
    • OUR MISSION
    • OUR TEAM
    • IN THE PRESS
    • FAQ
  • GET INVOLVED
  • SEMINARS
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • DONATE
  • VOLUNTEER
  • ABOUT
    • OUR MISSION
    • OUR TEAM
    • IN THE PRESS
    • FAQ
  • GET INVOLVED
  • SEMINARS
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • DONATE
  • VOLUNTEER
In Depression

How Doctors Diagnose Depression

how doctors diagnose depression
Share this story

Just because depression isn’t easy to diagnose doesn’t mean it can’t be. 

Diagnosing depression can be a daunting task and is usually left to trained health professionals. To come up with a conclusive diagnosis, the two steps that the professionals do are:

1. Interviewing the patient

To truly understand what someone is going through, you have to first talk to them. Such a session usually involves the doctor asking a spread of questions about how a patient is feeling and whether there is a history of mental health issues in his or her family. Another thing that the doctor will be keen to note is the duration for which a patient has had their symptoms. Some of the symptoms that doctors look out for include:

  • Persistent sadness that lasts every day or most of the day
  • Lack of enjoyment in the things that formerly brought joy
  • Daily fatigue
  • Insomnia or excess sleep
  • Major weight gain or loss
  • Feelings of worthlessness
  • Suicidal thoughts

To confirm your depression, you need to have exhibited at least five of the above symptoms. For a doctor to get a clear diagnosis, there are several types of questionnaires that a doctor can use. These include:

  • Beck Depression Inventory (BDI): This is a survey that has 21 multi-choice questions designed to measure the severity of depression symptoms.
  • Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D): This tool allows patients to compare their feelings and outlooks with those of the previous week
  • Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD): This multi-choice questionnaire is used by doctors to rate the severity of someone’s depression.
  • The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9): As its name suggests, this is a 9-item screening tool. It is self-administered and applies the current diagnostic criteria for major depression.
  • Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale: This short survey is an effective tool for measuring the severity of depression

As much as these tools are popular and highly effective, your doctor may choose to go with another tool entirely.

2. Performing a physical examination and tests

As a way to rule out physical illness as a cause of your symptoms, a doctor will further perform a physical examination and lab tests. The physical exam usually concentrates on the neurological and endocrine systems and will rule out any diseases or conditions associated with depression. These include hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, syphilis, multiple sclerosis, head trauma and Cushing’s disease.

On the other hand, lab tests are helpful in ruling out things like anaemia, vitamin D deficiency and even tumours. Once the doctor can rule out any preexisting conditions, they can zero down on the cause of your depression.

The Bottom Line

Diagnosing depression can be very tricky. However, with the right resources and expertise, it can be done.


Share this story

Want our blog delivered directly to your email?

Subscribe
Subscribe to our email list now.
depression help series
Previous StoryThe Difference Between Clinical Depression and Sadness
Next StoryBeating Depression

Related Articles

  • antidepressant
    If you're coming off antidepressants, withdrawals and setbacks may be part of the process
  • postnatal depression
    20% of pregnant Australian women don't receive the recommended mental health screening

Leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

Archives

  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • November 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018

Categories

Tags

antidepressant anxiety bipolar disorder borderline personality disorder cancer children clean eaters coronavirus covid-19 depression early sign eating disorders fatigue guide series help series homeless housing inspiring story lockdown loneliness mental health missing person myth vs fact online therapy panic attack personality disorder postnatal poverty research study schizophrenia sleep problems social skills stroke suicide telehealth telehealth care work from home young adults

WHO WE ARE

  • OUR TEAM
  • PRESS
  • CONTACT
  • FAQ

WHAT WE DO

  • OUR MISSION
  • GET INVOLVED
  • DONATE
  • BLOG

FIND US ELSEWHERE

                   

ACCREDITATION

2021 © The Bell Foundation ABN 67 180 805 426 *All donations of $2 and over are tax deductible. •Sitemap •Refund & Privacy Policy •Accessibility

Subscribe to Email Newsletter

You have successfully subscribed to the newsletter

There was an error while trying to send your request. Please try again.

Bell Foundation® will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.