Common Depression Tests
Your doctor may run several or all of these tests to determine the nature of your depression and how your body chemistry is interacting with your mental state:
· A thorough physical exam to determine your overall state of health
· Lab tests to screen for anemia or a thyroid condition since these can sometimes cause depression-like symptoms. You may also be tested for other hormonal imbalances, too.
· A depression symptoms test such as the Wakefield Questionnaire – this type of questionnaire asks simple questions to gauge how sad or anxious you are and your general mood
· Other questions about your mental symptoms such as whether they only happen at certain times of day or in certain months, how long your symptoms have lasted, whether they increase or decrease over time, etc.
Other Depression Test Questions
There are some other things your doctor may ask you in order to determine the nature of your condition and also how you are handling your symptoms and living your life. These are routine questions and are not meant to pass judgment or scare you.
· You’ll be asked about whether you take drugs or how much you drink to deal with your symptoms and how those chemicals alleviate your symptoms or not.
· You’ll be asked questions to determine whether or not you may suffer from bipolar disorder (“manic depressive”)
· You’ll be asked questions to determine whether or not you may suffer from anxiety disorder.
Knowing whether or not you’re bipolar or have anxiety disorder is important because treatment for those types of depression is different from other types of depression and your doctor wants to make sure you get the correct treatment for your type of depression. Also, if you have been self-medicating with drugs or alcohol, it’s important for your doctor to help you stop that course of action because there are much better options out there to make you feel better.
Treatment Options
There are many new antidepressants on the market today that are greatly improving people’s lives. Your doctor may recommend one of those drugs if it fits with the type of depression that you have. In some cases, such as with women suffering from premenstrual dysphoric disorder, you may be prescribed birth control pills or hormonal treatments. In most cases of depression, you will also be treated through talk therapy with a psychologist or psychiatrist. And some patients may not need drugs at all depending on the severity of their symptoms. Patients with seasonal affective disorder sometimes sit under special lights during the winter season to alleviate their symptoms because it’s the lack of sunlight that is causing their depression and drugs are not required. They may take extra vitamins, but not need anything stronger.
Whatever treatment regimen your doctor recommends, know that you are on the road to recovery. Depression does not have to rule your life. There is hope out there and your doctor has the answers to make your life better. With proper medical treatment and talk therapy, you can feel better and have a sunny outlook on life. Say goodbye to the doom and gloom and welcome a bright new day!
