Diagnosis

A primary care physician or a mental health professional usually can diagnose depression by asking questions about medical history and symptoms. Major depression is diagnosed when a person has many of the symptoms listed above for at least two weeks. Many people with depression do not seek treatment because of society's attitudes about depression. The person may feel the depression is his or her fault or may worry about what others will think. The depression itself may distort a person's ability to recognize the problem.

There are no specific tests for depression. However, it is important to be evaluated by a primary care physician to make sure the problems are not being caused by a medical condition or medication.

Expected Duration

Episodes of major depression last on average four to eight months, but they can last for any length of time. Symptoms can vary in intensity during an episode. If depression is not treated, it can become chronic (long-lasting). Treatment can shorten the length and severity of a depressive episode.