Diagnostic Procedures for Depression
Everyone gets to experience an emotional low once in a while. It is a fleeting emotion that one has to deal with as an inevitable part of life. However, if it stays long enough that it affects one's life and becomes a regular setback in one's normal functions, this may become a serious affliction known as depression.
Often, the signs and symptoms of depression are easily disregarded as normal and is no cause for worry. It is recommended that you seek professional consult before it could progress into a severe level. Depression is not to be taken lightly as it could lead to serious consequences if no treatment is made. Common treatments include drug medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both.
Types of Depression
a) Major depression or Clinical Depression - is marked by a depressed mood most of the day , especially in the morning.
b) Dysthymia or Chronic depression - is a type where a person's moods are regularly low over a long period of time.
c) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is the type that occurs at certain periods in the year.
d) Bipolar disorder or Manic depressive illness is when one experiences erratic swings in mood, energy and ability to function.
e) Antepartum or Postpartum Depression occurs during a pregnancy.
Diagnosing Depression
A general practitioner, psychologist or a psychiatrist can diagnose depression. Diagnostic procedures normally include a physical exam and certain laboratory tests to ensure that the depressive symptoms are not caused by another physical, mental or medical illness. Otherwise, treatment of the illness or injury may also help ease the depression.
Certain illnesses and injuries can lead to depression. These include central nervous system tumors, head trauma, multiple sclerosis, stroke, syphilis and various cancers (pancreas, prostate, breast). Drugs taken in some arthritic and respiratory conditions or appetite suppressants may cause some of the symptoms of depression. Laboratory tests are sometimes necessary to validate existing illnesses in a patient. Examples of such tests are Blood test, CT scan or MRI of the brain, electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG).
In addition, Depression Screening Tests are administered to further assess the patient's depressive symptoms. They contain probing questions that are focused on the patient's mood and its effects on his life. Example of a screening test is a two-part questionnaire where the patient is asked two questions:
1. During the past month, have you been bothered by feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?
2. During the past month, have you been bothered by little interest or pleasure in doing things?
The above questions have proved to be effective in diagnosing most cases of depression, especially when complemented with another test. Other depression screening instruments include:
o Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) - a 21-question multiple-choice self-report that measures the severity of depression symptoms and feelings. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a 21-question with multiples that gauge the severity level of the depression.
o Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale - a short survey to gauge the level of depression, ranging from normal to a severe case.
o Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) enables the patients to track their mood and disposition from the previous week.
o Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) or Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), abbreviated to HAM-D - a questionnaire containing multiple choices that enables doctors to rate the severity of a patient's depression.
Honesty and willingness to provide all relevant information is needed from the patient for the doctors to diagnose the problem accurately and recommend the best treatment for patient. Once diagnosed with depression, it's important to take the medications as prescribed and to follow the treatment program recommended, including lifestyle changes as recommended.
To date, depression is one of the common illnesses affecting many which makes antidepressants a hot commodity. Over the years, legal cases, such as Paxil lawsuit [http://www.paxilbirthdefectlaw.com/updates/chronic-depression-could-cause-inflammation-of-the-body-in-some-patients/] against drug manufacturers have escalated due to the side effects of drugs borne by the patients. To date, drug medication form part of the primary treatment for depression among patients.
Often, the signs and symptoms of depression are easily disregarded as normal and is no cause for worry. It is recommended that you seek professional consult before it could progress into a severe level. Depression is not to be taken lightly as it could lead to serious consequences if no treatment is made. Common treatments include drug medication, psychotherapy or a combination of both.
Types of Depression
a) Major depression or Clinical Depression - is marked by a depressed mood most of the day , especially in the morning.
b) Dysthymia or Chronic depression - is a type where a person's moods are regularly low over a long period of time.
c) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is the type that occurs at certain periods in the year.
d) Bipolar disorder or Manic depressive illness is when one experiences erratic swings in mood, energy and ability to function.
e) Antepartum or Postpartum Depression occurs during a pregnancy.
Diagnosing Depression
A general practitioner, psychologist or a psychiatrist can diagnose depression. Diagnostic procedures normally include a physical exam and certain laboratory tests to ensure that the depressive symptoms are not caused by another physical, mental or medical illness. Otherwise, treatment of the illness or injury may also help ease the depression.
Certain illnesses and injuries can lead to depression. These include central nervous system tumors, head trauma, multiple sclerosis, stroke, syphilis and various cancers (pancreas, prostate, breast). Drugs taken in some arthritic and respiratory conditions or appetite suppressants may cause some of the symptoms of depression. Laboratory tests are sometimes necessary to validate existing illnesses in a patient. Examples of such tests are Blood test, CT scan or MRI of the brain, electrocardiogram (ECG), electroencephalogram (EEG).
In addition, Depression Screening Tests are administered to further assess the patient's depressive symptoms. They contain probing questions that are focused on the patient's mood and its effects on his life. Example of a screening test is a two-part questionnaire where the patient is asked two questions:
1. During the past month, have you been bothered by feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?
2. During the past month, have you been bothered by little interest or pleasure in doing things?
The above questions have proved to be effective in diagnosing most cases of depression, especially when complemented with another test. Other depression screening instruments include:
o Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) - a 21-question multiple-choice self-report that measures the severity of depression symptoms and feelings. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a 21-question with multiples that gauge the severity level of the depression.
o Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale - a short survey to gauge the level of depression, ranging from normal to a severe case.
o Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) enables the patients to track their mood and disposition from the previous week.
o Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) or Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), abbreviated to HAM-D - a questionnaire containing multiple choices that enables doctors to rate the severity of a patient's depression.
Honesty and willingness to provide all relevant information is needed from the patient for the doctors to diagnose the problem accurately and recommend the best treatment for patient. Once diagnosed with depression, it's important to take the medications as prescribed and to follow the treatment program recommended, including lifestyle changes as recommended.
To date, depression is one of the common illnesses affecting many which makes antidepressants a hot commodity. Over the years, legal cases, such as Paxil lawsuit [http://www.paxilbirthdefectlaw.com/updates/chronic-depression-could-cause-inflammation-of-the-body-in-some-patients/] against drug manufacturers have escalated due to the side effects of drugs borne by the patients. To date, drug medication form part of the primary treatment for depression among patients.
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