Depression Diagnosis
Depression is a mental disorder that manifests itself through symptoms like depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration. In a severe case of depression, the individual suffering from depression may resort to committing suicide. These problems can become chronic or recurrent and lead to substantial impairments in an individual’s ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities.
There are two kinds of depression: The sad kind, called major depression, or dysthymia; and manic-depression or bipolar illness, when feeling low and depressed alternates with being wild and reckless.
It is preferable to visit your family doctor as he will be aware of your previous medical conditions and medical history. The first thing you should do if you suspect that you may be depressed is visit your family doctor for a thorough checkup. If you are unable to or maybe embarrassed to visit your family doctor, any other general physician will serve the same purpose. There should never be any embarrassment or apprehension when coping with this illness.
Other medical conditions can cause depression symptoms, such as vitamin and mineral deficiencies, female hormonal changes and thyroid conditions. Therefore an individual should be absolutely sure by before taking any kind of medication and self medicating.
The doctor you visit, family doctor or any other physician, will begin the diagnostic process by asking you a series of questions and those could be :
What are the signs you’ve been experiencing?
How long have you had these symptoms?
How seriously do these symptoms affect your daily activities?
Have you felt like this before?
Have you been treated for depression before?
If so, what treatments were you given and which worked best?
Any of your close relatives diagnosed with depression?
If so, were your relatives treated for depression and which treatments worked best?
Do you consume alcohol or take drugs?
Have you had any thoughts of death or suicide?
There is no laboratory test that can diagnose depression. Depression is diagnosed based on the person’s reported symptoms, signs that your doctor observes during the questioning process, your medical history and your family’s medical history. Depression occurs in persons of all genders, ages, and backgrounds.
The family needs to extend their love and affection and most importantly their support. It is very essential that the family be supportive of the individual suffering from depression through this difficult time.
Facts relating to depression :
Depression is common, affecting close to 121 million people worldwide.
Depression is one of the leading causes of disability around the world.
Depression can be reliably diagnosed and treated in primary care.
Fewer than 25 % of those affected have access to effective treatments.
Family plays an important role in the treatment of depression. In conclusion, depression like most illnesses can be cured, only if it is detected in time and is treated.
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Posted: March 13th, 2010 under Health.
Tags: bipolar illness, depressed, depression, diagnosis, dysthymia, family doctor, female hormonal changes, Health, mental disorders, mineral deficiencies, physician, symptoms, thyroid conditions