Identifying Depression: Exploring Diagnostic Criteria, Varieties, and Beyond

Administrator -

Identifying Depression: Exploring Diagnostic Criteria, Varieties, and Beyond

To identify depression, medical professionals, psychiatrists, and other mental health specialists analyze an individual's symptoms and compare them to established diagnostic criteria.

Depression, often referred to as clinical depression or major depressive disorder, impacts an individual's thoughts and emotions. It may exacerbate daily tasks such as eating, sleeping, attending school, or working.

Anyone can be affected by depression, irrespective of race, gender, culture, or age. A variety of factors contribute to its development, including environmental, genetic, and emotional elements.

During diagnosis, healthcare professionals examine a person's symptoms and family medical history to determine if they meet the diagnostic criteria.

This article explores how mental health experts diagnose depression, the various types of depression, and treatment options for this condition.

How medical professionals diagnose depression

Mental health experts generally employ the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR) to establish whether an individual suffers from major depressive disorder.

For an individual to receive a depression diagnosis, they must:

  • display at least 5 symptoms of depression
  • experience these symptoms every day, for the majority of the day, for at least 2 weeks
  • present with either a depressed mood or a reduced interest or pleasure in almost all activities as one of the symptoms

The criteria differ slightly for children and adolescents. Instead of having a depressed mood, they may exhibit irritability instead of sadness.

Symptoms of depression include:

  • a depressed mood
  • a reduced interest or pleasure in almost all activities
  • significant fluctuations in weight
  • changes in appetite
  • sleep disturbances
  • reduced energy and fatigue
  • agitated movements or behaviors, such as fidgeting or rapid talking
  • difficulty thinking or concentrating
  • a delusional, excessive, or inappropriate sense of guilt
  • a feeling of worthlessness
  • repetitive thoughts of death, including suicidal thoughts or ideation

Explore common symptoms of depression in further detail here.

Diagnosis also includes ruling out other mental health conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms, such as:

  • bipolar disorder
  • substance use disorders
  • schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders

A healthcare professional will further analyze the severity of the depression to aid in formulating a treatment plan.

A 2018 study suggests that a loss of interest in activities indicates severe depression.

Depression signs and symptoms based on age

Depression affects individuals differently based on their age. As a result, its symptoms vary.

Young children may:

  • appear cranky or anxious
  • pretend to be sick
  • cling to a parent
  • refuse to attend school
  • worry that a parent may die

Older children may:

  • exhibit restlessness
  • get into trouble at school
  • sulk
  • become easily frustrated
  • have low self-esteem
  • experience excessive sleepiness

Young adults may:

  • have other mood disorders, such as generalized anxiety
  • be irritable
  • complain of weight gain
  • have a negative outlook on life and the future
  • experience excessive sleepiness

Middle-aged adults may display:

  • more depressive episodes
  • decreased libido
  • digestive issues, such as diarrhea
  • insomnia

Older adults may exhibit symptoms that are less apparent. They may:

  • feel a lack of emotions
  • experience sadness or grief
  • have conditions that cause pain and contribute to depression
  • have trouble concentrating

An individual should consider discussing their symptoms with a mental health professional if they suspect depression in themselves or a loved one.

Help is available

If you or someone you know is facing a crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek assistance:

  • Contact or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are on hand to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Access a helpline in your country through Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Contact 911 or your local emergency services number if it feels safe to do so.

If calling on behalf of someone else, remain with them until help arrives. If you can, remove objects or substances that may cause harm.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

  • Bipolar I disorder: This sort includes prolonged manic episodes lasting for at least a week or necessitating hospitalization.
  • Bipolar II disorder: This variant involves present or past symptoms of hypomania which last for at least 4 days, alongside depressive episodes.
  • Hypomania: A more mild form of mania, lasting for at least 4 continuous days without considerably affecting a person's social and professional engagements.
  • Cyclothymia: Chrome-plated presentations of major depression and hypomania persisting for at least 2 years as an adult.

Treatment

Treatment for depression incorporates both medication and talk therapy, although the specific method will hinge upon the gravity of the depression.

For instance, a healthcare expert might propose strictly talk therapy for mild cases.

Treatment might take some time to show results. At times, an individual may need to experiment with various medications or therapists to pinpoint the ideal solution for their needs.

Adjustments to a person’s routine, such as adhering to a balanced diet and regular exercise, could also prove beneficial.

Discover more about natural strategies that could help forestall a depression relapse.

Outlook

With treatment and some lifestyle changes, an individual may be able to suppress or regulate depression symptoms.

For certain individuals, short-term treatment might suffice. Others might need persistent care to manage depression.

Summary

To secure a depression diagnosis, a person must exhibit at least five symptoms of depression that endure for 2 or more weeks. One symptom must involve a depressed mood or a diminished interest in almost all activities.

People with depression may profit from talk therapy, medication, or both. An individual might also find that lifestyle adjustments make it simpler to control their symptoms.

It should be emphasized that locating the ideal treatment plan for depression can take some time.

During the diagnosis process, a healthcare professional may consider if the individual's depression symptoms are indicative of a more severe condition, such as bipolar disorder or substance use disorders. In some cases, a loss of interest in activities can suggest severe depression.

If the diagnosis confirms depression, determining its stage is crucial for formulating an effective treatment plan. For instance, late-stage depression might require more intensive treatments like medication and regular therapy sessions.

Read also: