How to Test for Clinical Depression

The different types of depression include:

• Clinical depression or major depressive disorder: Lasts for a longer time.
• Bipolar depression or manic depression: Alternating episodes of mania (unreasonable euphoria) and depression.
• Persistent depressive disorder or dysthymia: Symptoms last for two years or more.
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): Depressive symptoms in winters when there is less sunlight and feels better in summer and spring.
• Postpartum depression: Extreme anxiety and sadness after childbirth.
• Psychotic depression: A serious psychiatric disorder.

The exact cause of depression is unknown. However, it may be a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.

Certain risk factors for depression

• Parental or familial history of depression
• Stressful events, such as the death of a loved one, financial crisis, physical or sexual abuse, and going through a divorce
• Stress at work
• Debilitating diseases, such as cancer and stroke
• Chronic pain
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Certain medications, such as barbiturates, corticosteroids, benzodiazepines, opioid painkillers, and specific blood pressure medicine can trigger symptoms
• Personality factors, such as pessimistic people are more prone to depression

Depression might be associated with any of the following conditions:

• Central nervous system tumors
• Stroke
• Head trauma or injury
• Multiple sclerosis
• Various cancers
• Side effects of medications
• Withdrawal of drugs, such as steroids, amphetamines, and appetite suppressants

The symptoms of depression vary with people and can range from mild to severe, including:

• Feeling sad often or all the time
• Anxious for no reason
• Irritable, frustrated
• Not interested in daily activities
• Unable to sleep or sleeping for long hours
• Excessive eating or lack of appetite
• Pains, headaches with no relief even after medications
• Unable to concentrate or make decisions
• Extreme tiredness
• Feeling guilty, hopeless, helpless, or worthless
• Planning to hurt oneself or suicidal tendency

When you have five or more symptoms for at least two weeks, a diagnosis of depression is elicited.

• Physical examination: The doctor may focus primarily to rule out issues with neurological and endocrine systems, such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s disease (adrenal gland disorder).
• Blood tests: To check blood electrolytes and liver and kidney functions.
• Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans of the brain: To rule out brain tumors.
• Electroencephalogram: To check the electrical activity of the brain.

When you feel quite down, try the following positive choices:

• Reach out to others: Talk to your family, friends, sharing your feelings may help you feel better.
• Physical activity: Regular exercise and a short walk could be beneficial.
• Mood-boosting diet: Avoid foods that can adversely affect your moods, such as alcohol, sugar, and refined carbs. Dark chocolate, bananas, and almonds have mood-enhancing properties.
• Find ways to engage yourself: Pick up a hobby or spend quality time with pets, loved ones, or plan a vacation.

Medications used for depression (antidepressants) stimulate serotonin or noradrenaline production along with lifestyle and social changes.

• Self-guided changes lifestyle changes: Changing your sleeping pattern, spending time with family may help feel better.
• Therapy: Counseling or psychotherapy with a mental healthcare provider may help cope with the sad feelings.
• Alternative therapies: Therapies, such as acupuncture and hypnosis, might help.
• Brain stimulation: For severe depression
  • Transcranial magnetic stimulation
  • Electroconvulsive therapy
  • Vagus nerve stimulation