Question: How is depression evaluated?
Answer:
A good diagnostic evaluation for depression will include a complete history of symptoms, i.e., when they started, how long they have lasted, how severe they are, whether you have had them before and, if so, whether the symptoms were treated and what treatment was given.
The doctor or mental health professional will likely ask about alcohol and drug use, and if the you have had thoughts about death or suicide. Further, a history will usually include questions about whether other family members have had a depressive illness and, if treated, what treatments they may have received and which were effective.
A diagnostic evaluation should include some form of "mental status exam" to determine if speech or thought patterns or memory have been affected, as sometimes happens in the case of a depressive or manic-depressive illness. The doctor or mental health professional may ask you questions to test your memory or problem-solving ability. A depression screening test may be administered, either orally or in writing.
Last updated 11/7/05
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