Depression

Depression Diagnosis

There are no laboratory tests to diagnose major depressive disorder. Physicians rely on a thorough psychological examination and the elimination of other disorders as diagnoses.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Depression
(Free Handout)

Diagnostic Criteria for Major Depressive Episode
The American Psychiatric Association has established the diagnostic criteria for the evaluation of a major depressive episode, which are reproduced here.

At least five of the following symptoms have been present during the same two-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either (1) depressed mood, or (2) loss of interest or pleasure. (Do not include symptoms that are clearly due to a physical condition, mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations, incoherence, or marked loosening of associations.)

1. depressed mood (can be irritable mood in children and adolescents) most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by subjective account or observation of others
2. markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by subjective account or observation of others), and apathy most of the time
3. significant weight loss or weight gain when not dieting (e.g., more than 5 percent of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day (in children, consider failure to make expected weight gains)
4. insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
5. psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)
6. fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
7. feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)
8. diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others)
9. recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, suicide attempt, or a specific plan for committing suicide

APA. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. 1994. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association (APA).

Distinguishing Depression From Other Disorders
The DSM-IV provides four disclaimers to the clinical diagnosis of depression. It is necessary to describe depression as a mood disorder, which differs from depression associated with other psychiatric or medical conditions. If any of the following four situations apply to a person, depression is not present (following from table of criteria for diagnosis):

1. It cannot be established that an organic factor initiated and maintained the disturbance.
2. The disturbance is not a normal reaction to the death of a loved one (uncomplicated bereavement).
3. At no time during the disturbance have there been delusions or hallucinations for as long as 2 weeks in the absence of prominent mood symptoms (i.e., before the mood symptoms developed or after they have remitted).
4. Not superimposed on schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder, delusional disorder, or psychotic disorder NOS (not otherwise specified)

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In addition, it must be determined that the patient has not experienced a manic episode, which indicates a possible diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

APA. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed. 1994. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association (APA).

A diagnosis of major depressive disorder in the elderly must consider the possibility of dementia, which causes confusion and apathy. The diagnosis in children must consider the possibility of attention deficit disorder (ADD), which causes irritability and loss of concentration. These symptoms are often how children manifest depression.

Many people suffering from depression initially see a physician because of bodily dysfunction, pains, fatigue, loss of concentration, and recurrent worries about their health. Comprehensive neurological and physical examinations rule out medical conditions that cause similar symptoms. For example, thyroid and adrenal gland disorders can cause similar symptoms (e.g., lethargy) and tests can be performed to rule out these medical conditions.

Physicians have established cross-diagnostic checks for evaluating groups of people who are at risk for other psychiatric or medical conditions:

• Teenagers and young adults should be tested for mononucleosis and chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Homosexual men, people with multiple sex partners, and intravenous drug users should be tested for HIV.
• Overweight people should be tested for thyroid and adrenal disorders, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy.
• In the elderly, dementia, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and stroke should be considered.

Screening may uncover substance-induced depression. Several drugs can cause side effects that resemble depression symptoms, such as alcohol, barbiturates, cardiac drugs, steroids and hormones, beta-blockers, hypnotics, and stimulants.

Beck Depression Inventory
In addition to the American Psychiatric Association's diagnostic criteria, physicians often use the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a self-report test designed to measure depression. It consists of 21 multiple-choice questions that focus on sadness, guilt, self-esteem, and pessimistic outlook. The test takes about 15 minutes to complete. The following is an example of a test question:

Over the past week:

1. I have not felt sad.
2. I have felt sad.
3. I have not been able to stop feeling sad.
4. I have been so sad that I cannot stand it.

While the BDI is useful in assessing mood and thought process, some physicians criticize its inability to measure associated neurovegetative conditions, such as anorexia, overeating, and insomnia. Other tests are done to assess the presence of these conditions.

Click here for a Depression Self Test Calculator.

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