Major depressive disorder, also known as clinical depression, is typically diagnosed based on a person’s symptoms and a thorough clinical evaluation. This may include a physical examination, lab tests, and a psychological evaluation. The psychological evaluation typically involves a detailed interview with the person, during which the clinician will ask about the person’s symptoms, thoughts, feelings, and behavior patterns. The clinician may also ask about the person’s medical and psychiatric history and any other relevant information, such as the family history of mental illness and any current stressors or other factors that may be contributing to the person’s symptoms.
If you are feeling depressed, it is important to seek help from a qualified healthcare provider. Depression is a severe condition that can have a significant impact on your overall health and well-being, and it is not something that you can simply “snap out of” on your own. A healthcare provider can help you to identify the cause of your depression and develop a treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
The National Depression Hotline is available 24/7/365 to help you or a loved one talk about depression and the next steps for depression treatment. Call for free at (866) 629-4564.
