Self Diagnosing Depression
When experiencing symptoms of depression, you want answers. This article shares some tools to consider when determining whether you are actually suffering from depression. Causes, symptoms, clinical guidelines, and questionnaires are all valid ways to self-assess your diagnosis. It is always recommended that you consult a physician with your findings for further diagnosis.
Depression is a complicated illness that can differ in symptoms among people and within an individuals time of life. It can be difficult to determine if you are suffering from depression or simply “blue” or over tired. You should consider the events occurring in your life along with all the symptoms you have been experiencing. There are also several questionnaires which have been compiled by professional psychiatric organizations to help determine the presence and/or degree of depression.
Little is known about the causes of depression. Things that have been considered are family history (or genetic causes), an individuals biological makeup, time of life or social factors-what is going on in the persons life at that time. Sociological factors seem to carry the most weight in most research, citing that major life occurrences could trigger a depressive episode. Major life occurrences can include death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, a move, the diagnosis of a terminal illness or even the arrival of a baby. If one of these incidents has occurred (or even if they haven’t) a further examination of the symptoms being experienced must be considered.
The American Psychiatric Association has devised clinical guidelines to determine depression. This set of guidelines is called the DSM-IV. It takes into account several symptoms, and depression is diagnosed if five or more of these symptoms is present. These symptoms are:
- Sadness
- Feelings of guilt
- Sleep troubles
- change of weight, either weight loss or gain
- Fatigue
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Loss of interest in activities
- Irritability
- Lack of concentration
If any or all of these symptoms are being experienced talk to a physician for further diagnosis.
There are countless questionnaires which have been devised by doctors, pharmaceutical companies and clinicians to diagnose major depressive disorder, the official term for depression. They range from short to long, with ranges of points to determine severity of depression, or simply a series of yes or no answer questions. A quick search online of depression questionnaires will render over 1.4 million results. Try a few online then share the results with your physician. The physician may also have his or her preferred questionnaire they will use to determine a course of treatment.
Although depression is a complex disease, help is out there for everyone. You may have had a major life occurence trigger a depressive episode, there maybe genetic or biological factors in your history but if you have experienced any life disturbing changes such as the previous listed, you can be sure that further investigation by a physician is warranted. No one is alone.
Liked it
Maija Haavisto | Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
Otherwise an OK article, but it doesn’t seem to get anywhere, just wanders around…
Paula Mitchell Bentley | Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
I thought this was a pretty good article. I think that it is important to spread the word to people that depression is common, and that it is treatable. Sometimes life can be a very lonely journey and people need not suffer. Keep up the good work.
Allison West | Nov 12, 2008 | Reply
I really like this article. You write with a lot of intelligence, insight and compassion. This is good work, I like your writing style!
Peter Cimino | Dec 15, 2008 | Reply
What a wonderful article to a very tough predicament. Well done. I have quite a few family members who suffer from depression, so I can tell you, you are right on target.