Different Kinds Of Depression Test

Major Depressive Disorder With Psychotic Features

Depressive disease with psychotic symptoms, such as major depressive disorder, is a separate depressive illness. In this type of MDD, you associate mood instability with either delusion, hallucination, or a combination of the two. About 18.5 percent of people with MDD have psychotic symptoms. In addition, the frequency of MDD with psychotic characteristics increases with age.

How Does A Doctor Make A Depression Diagnosis

Weve gotten used to doctors using special blood tests or other complex laboratory tests to help them make a conclusive diagnosis. But most lab tests arenât very helpful when it comes to diagnosing depression. In fact, talking with the patient may be the most important diagnostic tool the doctor has. The recommendation is that doctors routinely screen everyone for depression. This screening might take place during a visit for a chronic illness, at an annual wellness visit, or during a pregnancy or postpartum visit.

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. While a physical examination will reveal a patients overall state of health, by talking with a patient, a doctor can learn about other things that are relevant to making a depression diagnosis. A patient, for example, can report on such things as daily moods, behaviors, and lifestyle habits.

A depression diagnosis is often difficult to make because clinical depression can show up in so many different ways. For example, some clinically depressed people seem to withdraw into a state of apathy. Others may become irritable or even agitated. Eating and sleeping patterns can be exaggerated. Clinical depression may cause someone to sleep or eat to excess, or almost eliminate those activities.

You May Like: Guided Meditation For Anxiety And Depression 10 Minutes

Screening For Depression: How Depression Tests Work

There isnt a single depression test or screening that determines if someone is clinically depressed. Unlike lab tests that diagnose some illnesses, a depression test is just one tool that a professional might use when screening for and diagnosing a mental health condition like depression.

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.

The answers alone aren’t enough to determine if someone has depression because a test won’t account for other possible reasons for an individual’s answers.

For example, someone experiencing acute pain may report difficulty sleeping and poor appetitebut those symptoms may be caused by pain rather than depression. A clinician would need to take their physical health condition into account after reviewing the test results.

Similarly, a treatment provider would also need to take someone’s environment into account. Someone may report difficulty sleeping not because he’s depressed, but because he has a loud neighbor who keeps him up at night.

Be aware that depression tests don’t allow for explanations. They usually ask someone to report how often certain symptoms occur during a defined time period. A treatment provider would need to probe further to gain suficient information about an individual’s symptoms.

Read Also: Talking To Your Doctor About Depression

Hamilton Rating Scale For Depression

The Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression is a multiple item questionnaire used to identify depression and to evaluate recovery. Its designed for adults and is used to rate the severity of a persons depression by evaluating their mood, feelings of guilt, suicidal ideation, anxiety, insomnia, weight loss, and somatic symptoms.

Type : Minor Depression

To speak of a diagnosis minor depression, at least two of the depression symptoms must be present. This is one of the most common types of depression. Minor depression is a depression on a low-level. It is called depression, but it is less severe than other types of depression.

The symptoms of depression which must be present in this type, are the standard symptoms of depression. These symptoms can be found under the section symptoms of depression, or in the main article on depression.

The maximum amount of depression symptoms present in this type of depression are 4 symptoms. If this criterion is surpassed, we are speaking of more severe types of depression. A minor depression thus is a light type of depression, because it only includes a limited amount of depression symptoms.

This does not mean that the subjective suffering of the person is less or that it should not be treated. Even though this is a lighter type of depression, the suffering, and depression symptoms can effectively be treated. The lighter the symptoms are and the quicker treatment is sought, the effects of this treatment will be seen more quickly.

Don’t Miss: How Much Of The World Has Depression

How Long Does It Take To Diagnose Depression

It can take weeks after depression begins before it is diagnosed. This is partly because people may be resistant to ask for help, says Rudy Nydegger, PhD, Professor Emeritus of psychology and management at Union College and chief in the Division of Psychology at Ellis Hospital, both in Schenectady, New York.

When a primary care doctor is looking into whether a person is depressed, they may initially think the symptoms could be caused by a physical illness, Nydegger explains. Often, a primary care doctor may be looking at the persons medications or whether something is going on physiologically, he says. They are trying to rule out medical causes as the reason for the symptoms, which is appropriate, but then it can take longer to get a diagnosis.

Types Of Depression Test

Take this quiz and find out what is the status of your depression and how will you cure it or avoid it.

• What kind of depression do you think you have?

• Sample QuestionHow many hours do you often sleep a day?Less than the average person, less than 7 hours.More than the average person, more than 8 hours.I don’t sleep.

• Sample QuestionDo you sleep too much?Yes.

• Sample QuestionDo you feel depressed or sad almost everyday for most of the day, worsening throughout the day without any triggering factors?Yes

You May Like: How To Get Wife Out Of Depression

So How Do I Find Out What I Have

Sometimes people are able to get a pretty good sense of what condition they might have just from reading about it online and talking to other people who have had similar experiences. But its also easy to get carried away. Ever use WebMD to check your physical symptoms and come away thinking you must have some rare disease? Mental illness can be the same way.

A good starting point is to take a mental health screen online. The screening tools on this site are the same ones used in a lot of doctors offices. Theyre scientifically validated, and much more accurate than just reading about something and making a guess. You can use your results to start a conversation with your friends or family, or use them to monitor your progress over time.

Eventually, if you want to be officially diagnosed with a mental illness, youll need to meet with a doctor or a therapist. Theyll ask you some questions and use their training and experience to determine whether your symptoms match with a particular mental illness. If you can, try to meet with someone who specializes in mental health, like a psychiatrist or a therapist. But your regular family doctor can diagnose common conditions like depression and anxiety. They can also help refer you to a specialist.

Related Topics

Dont Miss: How To Help A Depressed Friend Over Text

What Happens During Depression Screening

Your primary care provider may give you a physical exam and ask you about your feelings, mood, sleep habits, and other symptoms. Your provider may also order a blood test to find out if a disorder, such as anemia or thyroid disease, may be causing your depression.

During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

If you are being tested by a mental health provider, he or she may ask you more detailed questions about your feelings and behaviors. You may also be asked to fill out a questionnaire about these issues.

Recommended Reading: Meds For Ocd Anxiety And Depression

How Is Depression Syndrome Diagnosed

Everyone may feel sad or down from time to time. However, clinical depression has more intense symptoms that last two weeks or longer.

To determine whether you have clinical depression, your healthcare provider will ask questions. You may complete a questionnaire and provide a family history. Your healthcare provider may also perform an exam or order lab tests to see if you have another medical condition.

Signs And Symptoms Of Depression

Although there are many types of depression, there are certain symptoms that are common across depressive disorders. These symptoms provide the foundation for depression self-evaluations and diagnostic processes used by mental health professionals.

For example, the PHQ-9 often asks questions such as How often have you been bothered by feeling tired or having little energy? and How often have you caught yourself speaking or moving slower than usual? to assess fatigue, which is a hallmark symptom of depression. The more severe the depression, the more frequently these symptoms tend to occur.

You may have depression if you have experienced at least some of the following symptoms nearly every day for at least two weeks:

• Feelings of sadness, anxiety, or emptiness
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Loss of interest in activities and hobbies
• Suicidal thoughts or actions

If you experience suicidal thoughts, you are not alone. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 273-8255 to speak with a trained counselor and find help near you.

Read Also: I Feel Irritated And Depressed

What Is Major Depressive Disorder

Depression, often known as clinical depression or Major Depressive Disorder , is a very common, widespread, and dangerous mood illness.

So how do you feel if you are depressed? People suffering from depression are plagued by constant emotions of melancholy and feel hopeless. As a result, these people tend to lose interest in activities that they used to find enjoyable.

Apart from the emotional issues that might arise due to depression, people may also have physical symptoms. These symptoms being persistent pain or digestive disorders. To diagnose depression, depressive symptoms must be present for at least 2 weeks.

Is There Anything Else I Need To Know About Depression Screening

There are many types of mental health providers who treat depression. The most common types of mental health providers include:

L.C.S.W.s and L.P.C.s may be known by other names, including therapist, clinician, or counselor.

If you don’t know which type of mental health provider you should see, talk to your primary care provider.

Don’t Miss: Can You Be Depressed And In A Relationship

Type : Manic Depression

To speak of a diagnosis ‘manic depression’ depressive episodes need to be in between periods of strong euphoria or agitation. These euphoric periods are also called manic episodes. During these periods you feel like you rule the world, or you become irritated very quickly. Many people can also do irrational things in such a manic episode, such as buying things which they cannot afford. If you then ask them whether they can really afford it, their answer is usually something along the lines of ‘of course, you need not worry about that’.

After this manic episode, the client then ends up in a depressive episode again. During this depressive episode, the client experiences several depression symptoms in one atmosphere which takes over everything. You will thus constantly feel somber and unhappy. These depressed episodes usually take longer than the manic episodes do.

This type of depression is often caused by genetics. Because of this, the treatment of manic depressions often consists of a combination of antidepressants and therapy. In a manic depression, people often strive to neutralize the symptoms rather than to find a solution to the manic depression. It can be so that a manic, or bipolar, depression is present for life, but that treatment can eventually help to neutralize the symptoms so that you do not experience a large influence by the symptoms anymore after some time.

Common Symptoms Of Depression

Depression can cause a range of symptoms, and depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe depending on the day and on each persons individual situation.

• Having a hard time thinking, concentrating, or making decisions
• Having thoughts of death or suicide

Generally, symptoms of depression need to last for at least two weeks in order for a diagnosis to be made, and they must interfere with your ability to go about your life.

An important note is that you should seek help promptly if you frequently find yourself thinking about death, suicide, or self-harm.

Recommended Reading: Can Depression Get Worse Even With Medication

What Do The Results Mean

If you are diagnosed with depression, its important to get treatment as soon as possible. The sooner you get treatment, the better chance you have of recovery. Treatment for depression may take a long time, but most people who get treated eventually feel better.

If your primary care provider diagnosed you, he or she may refer you to a mental health provider. If a mental health provider diagnosed you, he or she will recommend a treatment plan based on the type of depression you have and how serious it is.

Scoring The Anxiety Disorder Test

The more times you answered yes on the anxiety disorder quiz, the more likely it is you may suffer from an anxiety disorder.

Sections one and two of the anxiety disorder test are designed to indicate an anxiety disorder, while sections three and four screen for conditions that may complicate anxiety disorders such asdepression or substance use.

If you answered mostly yes in any one section, or in the anxiety disorder quiz overall, you should print this page with your answers and discuss them with a mental health or healthcare professional.

Remember, only a trained, mental health professional like your family doctor, a psychiatrist or psychologist can diagnose a mental illness.

See Also:

Don’t Miss: What To Do If You Re Too Depressed To Work

Take A Quick Depression Test: Immediate Results

Shannon,

PMHNP Director

10 Minute Read

Although feeling a little bit down every now and then is a common part of everyday life, feelings of hopelessness and despair that seem inescapable may be a sign that you are struggling with depression.

Depression is more than just occasional sadness or sadness that happens in response to the obstacles of life depression can actually change the way you think, feel, and function, and it can greatly impact your ability to complete, and enjoy, daily activities.

Depression can also interrupt your life when it comes to work, school or study, eating and sleeping habits. It may also affect relationships with friends, family, and loved ones, and day-to-day tasks can begin to feel very overwhelming.

However, depression is a treatable mental health condition and there are ways that you can feel better and get better.

The first step towards feeling better is learning more about both the causes and symptoms of depression so that you can better understand what is happening, and when its time to seek professional help.

What Are The Symptoms Of Depression

Depression can affect your emotions, mind and body. Depression symptoms include:

• Feeling very sad, hopeless or worried.
• Not enjoying things that used to give you joy.
• Being easily irritated or frustrated.
• Eating too much or too little.
• Changes in how much you sleep.
• Having a difficult time concentrating or remembering things.
• Experiencing physical problems like headache, stomachache or sexual dysfunction.
• Thinking about hurting or killing yourself.

If you or someone you know has thoughts of hurting themselves, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.8255. This national network of local crisis centers provides free, private emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

You May Like: How To Treat Resistant Depression

Can Depression Be Prevented

You can help prevent depression by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet and practicing regular self-care activities such as exercise, meditation and yoga.

If youve had depression before, you may be more likely to experience it again. If you have depression symptoms, get help. Care can help you feel better sooner.

It Only Happens To Women

Men are sometimes led to believe that it is not acceptable for them to show weakness or sadness. This is an outdated and harmful belief, but many men hold it strongly nonetheless.

In recent years, there have been some social justice movements focused on the fact that men need the space to feel weak emotions sadness, hopelessness, insecurity, and other aspects of depression.

Really, none of these feelings are a sign of weakness, and they happen to everyone regardless of gender.

In fact, men are more likely to die by suicide in the United States than women are.

Recommended Reading: Anti Depression Medication That Helps With Weight Loss