Treatment for depression begins with a proper diagnosis. Before you can be treated, a medical professional will need to conduct both a physical exam and a psychological evaluation. A physical examination can help to identify potential health factors contributing to your depression, such as chronic pain or illness. During your psychological evaluation a mental health professional will consider the longevity and severity of your symptoms to offer a formal diagnosis.
Depression can be difficult to diagnose because of its varying degrees of severity and the different ways it can manifest. Clinical depression doesn’t just present with sadness; it may also appear as irritation or agitation, insomnia, or exhaustion. Your treatment provider will also look for signs of clinical depression, take a family history, and focus on ruling out other potential causes.