Diagnosing Depression

It is unfortunate that there is no test known to detect depression. In fact, talking with the patient may be the most important diagnostic tool the doctor has. The present standard is that doctors routinely screen all patients for depression. This screening may happen during a wellness visit, at an annual wellness visit, or even during a postpartum or pregnancy visit.  In order to effectively diagnose and treat depression, the doctor must hear about specific symptoms of depression. To do this, a doctor typically uses a series of standard questions to screen for depression.

When seeking treatment for depression your family doctor can most commonly treat you if you are suffering from depression. Often one may have to seek the help of a licensed therapist. If one’s diagnosis is found to be unclear, or the individual seems to be particularly ill, your family doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist.  Others suffering from depression may be seen by a psychologist.

Seeing A Therapist

Often humans experience bad times in their lives. At times one may be able to sit down with a friend or neighbor and talk through their problems. There are often times when that isn’t enough, and one may need to seek professional help. Just remember that depression is treatable. Treatment for depression may include medication as well as psychotherapy.

You may wonder what psychotherapy is. This is being able to simply talk to someone or your doctor about your problems or situations, which can help to a great degree. It is always better to talk your problems out than to keep them bottled up inside oneself. If you should need formal psychotherapy counseling that would include cognitive behavioral therapy; interpersonal psychotherapy; or psychoanalysis.

Psychotherapies are very effective just like medication if taken properly. For more severe cases of depression, medication may be needed but it is supplemented with psychotherapy.

The type of therapy depends on the problems one may be suffering from. This is the doctor’s call. There has been no indication that one therapy is better than another.

Medication For Depression

Antidepressant medicine is used to help correct one’s low mood, and any other problems one may be suffering from during a bout  with depression. They don’t change one’s personality, and they are not usually addictive.

There have been many new antidepressant drugs in recent years. The main advantage of these medications is that they tend to have fewer side effects than past drugs. Your physician will choose the correct medication for you and your particular symptoms. Antidepressants do act on the chemicals in the brain in trying to correct the abnormalities which may be causing one to suffer from depression.

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