HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

How is depression diagnosed?

Support Forums
>
Depression
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 7/26/2013 3:16 AM (GMT 0)
I have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder in the past and recently my doctor asked me if I felt depressed. I nervously said no (I'm not sure if what I've been feeling is depression or just a weird side effect to anxiety) and the doctor changed directions slightly, asking me about specific symptoms, all of which fall under the category of depression. My doctor then told me that he wanted to evaluate me for depression and I am just wondering what this entails?
Posted 7/26/2013 6:37 AM (GMT 0)
In my experience, it just entails taking a comprehensive inventory of your symptoms.

Also, some of the symptoms of depression and anxiety overlap.
Posted 7/26/2013 6:40 AM (GMT 0)
He may also ask you questions that he wants to know your emotional response to; how do you feel when I say happy etc. it may make you a little anxious but try not stress. There are no right or wrong answers.
Posted 7/26/2013 6:44 AM (GMT 0)
"try not stress. There are no right or wrong answers."

This is exactly right!

And, yeah, some of the questions are really weird. lol
Posted 7/26/2013 9:43 AM (GMT 0)
They have right, whatamIdoing. Welcome to the forum.

diagonosis for depression is done verbally. There are a few different schools of thought, Freud, Jung and and couple others, however they are basically they same.

No worries.

Peace
Trina
Posted 7/26/2013 11:35 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum!!!

TRy not to stress, it is easy. Just questions, and trying to determine what med is good for you.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 7/26/2013 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the responses. Anyone have suggestions for how to not let anxiety get in the way and just go ahead and answer these questions honestly/completely. I don't know, I guess it's kind of that stigma or belief that a diagnosis means I'm crazy that makes me panic and go into complete denial whenever I'm asked about emotional health.
Posted 7/26/2013 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
Tell them about your anxiety. This will help relieve it for you and also help make a diagnosis. They will most likely give you something for anxiety too.

Best wishes...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 7/26/2013 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Karen. I am on something for the anxiety which I am hoping will help ease my mind and clear my thoughts a bit when discussing the possibility of depression though it did not seem to work at my last appointment.
Posted 7/26/2013 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
I hope that your next appointment is better. Take a list of everyhing that you want to discuss if things are not getting gotten to??? That didn't seem to come out right. But I thnk you know what I mean. My last session was spent talking about my blood work from my other doctor. Does your therapist think that you are not depressed? If you continue to tell them your symptoms, eventually they will realized whether or not you are in their opinion. Though, I think that you would know. Maybe they want to get the anxiety under control before they move on to the depression.

I hope that makes some sense.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 7/27/2013 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
@ Karen, I do understand what you mean by things that do not get gotten too. :)
Truth be told, I am not in therapy as I am really really reluctant to talk about these things. Basically I have got to the point now where I have completely convinced myself that talking about my anxiety and potential depression will trigger a panic attack. I do occasionally talk to my primary doctor about my anxiety (have to talk in order to get meds) and although its hard that has been helpful. Anyone have suggestions about conquering my fear/sucking it up and going to a therapist?
Posted 7/27/2013 8:53 AM (GMT 0)
You just got to do it. Make the appointment and go. It can't hurt anything. If you have a panic attack, they are there to help you through it. Breathe...

Best wishes,

Karen
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply