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Last Reply:

DIagnosing Depression

Thomas L Schwartz, MD posted:

There are many places around webMD for tools and checklists to help diagnose depression. We often use a simple mnemonic in practice:
There are 9 typical symptoms
S leep disruption or oversleeping
M ood lowering
I nterest loss or loss of enjoyment
G uilty or worthless feelings
E energy loss/fatigue
C oncentration loss
A ppetite changes
P sychomotor change (being either agitated or slowed down)
S uicidal thinking

If you have 5 or more of these consistently, the depression may be occuring.
There are several types of depression and depression often travels with other psychiatric problems (anxiety, alcoholism, etc.) so the above is the tip of the diagnostic iceberg. if you or someone you know has these symptoms, they may want to bring it up with there family doc!

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5 Replies |Report This| Share this:DIagnosing DepressionThere are many places around webMD for tools and checklists to help diagnose depression. We often use a simple mnemonic in practice: There are 9 typical symptoms S leep disruption or oversleeping M ood lowering I nterest loss or loss of enjoyment G uilty or worthless feelings E energy loss/fatigue C oncentration loss A ppetite changes P sychomotor change (being either agitated or slowed down) S uicidal thinking If you have 5 or more of these consistently, the depression may be occuring. There are several types of depression and depression often travels with other psychiatric problems (anxiety, alcoholism, etc.) so the above is the tip of the diagnostic iceberg. if you or someone you know has these symptoms, they may want to bring it up with there family doc!

downhigh responded:

What about when NOTHING helps and the doctors leave you alone to deal with everything by yourself? Then what? Go see another bunch of doctors who can lie to me again? I want to know. Why is it that I'm left out here to die?

Report This| Share this:DIagnosing DepressionWhat about when NOTHING helps and the doctors leave you alone to deal with everything by yourself? Then what? Go see another bunch of doctors who can lie to me again? I want to know. Why is it that I'm left out here to die?

Isaiah3018 replied to downhigh's response:

Downhigh
You are not left to deal with everything alone. If you have sought professional counseling and it has not helped, have you considered spiritual counseling from a qualified counselor. This process will help you explore alternatives to trying to make life work on your own. It surely helped me.

Report This| Share this:DIagnosing DepressionDownhigh You are not left to deal with everything alone. If you have sought professional counseling and it has not helped, have you considered spiritual counseling from a qualified counselor. This process will help you explore alternatives to trying to make life work on your own. It surely helped me.

sweetypie295 replied to downhigh's response:

People do care about you. I dont know your situation but I know the people around me do care about me even if I am feeling the lowest of low. You need to keep trying make sure your open & honest to your Drs so they can get you the help that will make you feel better.

I am so sorry you are feeling this way.

Report This| Share this:DIagnosing DepressionPeople do care about you. I dont know your situation but I know the people around me do care about me even if I am feeling the lowest of low. You need to keep trying make sure your open & honest to your Drs so they can get you the help that will make you feel better. I am so sorry you are feeling this way.

sadglastoaster replied to downhigh's response:

I no how you feel. I've all ready tried talking to my youth leader at my church and what not, but my families insurance doesn't cover going to a counselar and we don't have the money for that, so I'm kind of stuck here with these mood swings leaving me almost killing myself. life sure can be miserable.

Report This| Share this:DIagnosing DepressionI no how you feel. I've all ready tried talking to my youth leader at my church and what not, but my families insurance doesn't cover going to a counselar and we don't have the money for that, so I'm kind of stuck here with these mood swings leaving me almost killing myself. life sure can be miserable.

LinaH86 replied to sadglastoaster's response:

Im sure money is very importat to achive a well treatment, there are several funding sources that you can applied, look for the onces offered in you area and make sure you take care

Report This| Share this:DIagnosing DepressionIm sure money is very importat to achive a well treatment, there are several funding sources that you can applied, look for the onces offered in you area and make sure you take care

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