Facts About Depression

5. Tricky Diagnosis

The diagnosis of depression consists of an expert's assessment of an individual's past and present life circumstances, current health, and their medical and psychological history. Some psychologists and psychiatrists may employ rating scales such as the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, the Beck Depression Inventory, or the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. Although the scores from these tests are insufficient in determining whether a person is clinically depressed or not, they allow for an insight into the individual's mood at the present moment.

It's important to note that primary-care physicians tend to overlook symptoms of depression for two reasons. One, their training doesn't equip them to recognize the signs and symptoms. And two, they dedicate their attention to the physical symptoms that the patient is experiencing instead. If you believe you're depressed, tell your doctor to refer you to a psychiatric clinic where a trained specialist can assure you receive the treatment you need to get better.