u003cemu003eThis lesson will be about the diagnosis if someone has depression.u003c/emu003ernrnDepression is usually diagnosed by psychiatrists. In addition, addiction medicine specialists, primary care physicians and clinical psychologists are diagnosing this disorder. In order to be diagnosed with a depressive disorder, a diagnostic criteria from the DSM-5 must be met. The DSM-5 is a diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders by the American Psychiatric Association.rnrnMany medical conditions and substance use disorders can mimic signs of depression. And it is important to take this in consideration when making a diagnosis.rnrnu003cbu003eThe DSM-5 defines different types of depression.u003c/bu003ernrnMajor depressive disorder, substance medication induced depressive disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, persistent depressive disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, depressive disorders due to another medical condition. And other unspecified depressive disorder. We will be focusing on major depressive disorder and substance induced depressive disorder as these commonly occur.rnrnIt is important to note that depression can also be a symptom seen with many other mental health diagnoses, such as in bipolar disorders, schizoaffective disorder, PTSD, which is post-traumatic stress disorder, psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and in anxiety disorders. Actually, 71% of people with depression have symptoms of anxiety.rnrnIn order to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder, an individual must meet DSM-5 criteria. u003cbu003eThe DSM-5 criteria for Major Depression include:u003c/bu003ernrnu003ciu003e* The individual must have five or more symptoms during a two-week period with a change in previous functioning plus at least depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure.u003c/iu003ernrnu003cbu003eSymptoms include:u003c/bu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eDepressed mood, and the depressed mood must be every day or nearly every day. And this can be indicated by either subjective report, such as the patient reported feeling sad or empty or by observations made by others.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDiminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities, most of the day, nearly every day. And this can be indicated by either subjective account or observation.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eSignificant weight loss while not dieting. Or increase in appetite nearly every day.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eInsomnia or hypersomnia, nearly every day.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003ePsychomotor agitation or retardation, nearly every day. This needs to be observed by others, not just by subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFatigue or loss of energy, nearly every dayu003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eFeelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eDiminished ability to think or concentrate or indecisiveness. This can be by subjective account or as observed by others.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eAnd finally, recurrent thoughts of death, not just fear of dying, recurrent suicidal ideations without specific planned or a suicide attempt. Or a specific plan for committing suicide.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003cbu003eIn addition to having five of the symptoms mentioned above,u003c/bu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eThese symptoms must cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e The depressive episode isn’t due to the physical effects of a substance or to another medical condition.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e The occurrence of episode is not better explained by schizoaffective disorder or a psychotic disorder.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003e And finally, there has never been a manic or hypomanic episode. If there is, the individual may have bipolar disorder or bipolar depression and the treatments are different than for Major Depression.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003cbu003eIn order to diagnose substance u003c/bu003eu003cbu003einduced depressive disorderu003c/bu003eu003cbu003e.u003c/bu003ernrnu003ciu003eYou would need the following criteria:u003c/iu003ernu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eA prominent and persistent disturbance in mood. Characterized by depressed or markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all or almost all activities.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eThere is evidence from a physical exam, laboratory findings or both of symptoms developed during or soon after substance intoxication or withdrawals or after exposure to a medication AND the involved substance or medication is capable of producing these symptoms.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eThe disturbance is not explained by depressive disorder that is not substance induced AND the symptoms preceded onset of a substance use, symptoms persist for substantial amount of time after the cessation of acute withdrawals or intoxication, or there is a history of recurrent non substance induced depression.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eThe disturbance does not occur exclusively during the course of a delirium.u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eAnd finally, the disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003ernu003cbu003eIn the next lesson we will discuss how to treat depression.u003c/bu003ernrnThank you for choosing The Recovery Village. If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health or substance abuse and would like to find out more about the programs we offer, please reach out to us directly at u003ca href=u0022tel:855-387-3291u0022u003e855-387-3291u003c/au003e.
