It takes a lot of training to learn how to apply these simple criteria perfectly. During their training, psychiatrists spend hours every day for months on end at the hospital, interviewing one volunteer patient after another in the company of a panel of experienced clinicians. After the student doctor makes and explains his or her diagnosis, each of the experienced doctors discusses why that diagnosis was right or wrong. This continues for years until doctors are proficient in the complex art of diagnosis.
It is essential that everyone associated with unipolar major depression know and understand the official diagnostic criteria. Just knowing how unipolar major depression is defined will greatly help you to understand it. However, a definitive diagnosis requires a one-on-one examination by a trained doctor, not just self evaluation.
- How is unipolar major depression diagnosed?
- Why are there so many different names for depression?
- All this information seems overwhelming what can I do to fight all these problems?
- How can I gauge the severity of my depression and understand how it changes over time?
- What should I do if I am feeling suicidal?
- It seems like the way I think is different now that I am depressed. Could this be true?
- Was my depression caused by recent disappointments and failures?
- Is indecisiveness a symptom of depression?
- Why do my thoughts and movements feel like they’ve slowed down?
- Is major depression a medical disease or just a bad attitude?
- What physical symptoms are typical with serious depression?
- Can I take antidepressants to give myself more energy?
- Why do I never seem to get any restful sleep?
- Why do I always binge on junk food and put on weight when I get depressed?
- I can’t seem to eat what’s wrong with my appetite?
- What kind of emotional changes can I expect if my depression grows worse?
- What do people look like when they are depressed?
- Is there any good news about this diagnosis?
- How does depression affect people’s longevity?
- Is there really a Band Aid that takes away depression?
