Ever wondered how a diagnosis of depression is made? There are several tests floating about.

Depression Surveys

One is the Beck Depression Inventory, and another is the Depression Anxiety Stress Survey (DASS). Both of these tests assess symptoms that have been present for the previous 7 days and give an indication of how someone is currently feeling.

These tests are only an indicator and do not form a diagnosis, because other factors also need to be assessed.

Examples of Factors that Impact on Depression Diagnosis:

• How long have the depression symptoms been present?
• Have the symptoms been unremitting – meaning has there been a period of time when the symptoms of depression weren’t present?
• Could the symptoms be due to illness or a medical condition?
• Could the symptoms be a side-effect of medication, drugs or alcohol?
• Does the person also have pain or an injury?
• Has there been a specific trigger such as a sudden loss of some sort, perhaps a job or a business, or a relationship break-down, or a financial disaster?
• Has there been a natural disaster, or catastrophic accident?
• What age is the person experiencing depression, what are their circumstances?

As you can see, there are numerous other factors to consider before someone is diagnosed with a depressive disorder.

If you or someone you know appears to be down, blue, demotivated or depressed, encourage them to see a psychologist as soon as possible as there is a lot that can be done to treat depression.

Symptoms of Depression

Depression is made up of a basket of symptoms, and some of these include:

• Teariness or inability to cry
• Irritability / Anger / Frustration
• Sleep problems
• Loss of Sex drive
• Eating problems: over-eating or under-eating
• Anhedonia, which is a loss of pleasure or interest in things that you normally find pleasurable or interesting
• Loss of motivation
• Forgetfulness
• Ambivalence – yes I will, no I won’t, can’t be bothered

Again, I must reiterate that it is necessary to have a full consultation with a psychologist to make an accurate diagnosis, as the symptoms of depression may be attached to other conditions, that it will depend on the number of symptoms that are being experienced at any one time, and how long the depression symptoms have been present. There are also more symptoms that have not been listed.

So, start by taking the test because knowledge is power. It will allow you to take steps toward helping yourself out of your current situation.