5 Questions
What is the most common type of depression?
Major depression
How long can symptoms of persistent depressive disorder last for?
Years
What type of questionnaire is often used to assess the severity of depression?
The Beck Depression Inventory
What type of mental health condition can depression occur as a symptom or comorbidity of?
Bipolar disorder
What type of examination may a doctor conduct to check for physical causes of depression?
Blood test
Study Notes
- Depression is a mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and loss of joy.
- There are several forms of depression, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and postpartum depression.
- Major depression is the most common type and is characterized by a constant state of sadness.
- Persistent depressive disorder is a type of depression that causes symptoms that last for at least 2 years.
- Postpartum depression is a more severe form of depression that can last for months or years.
- Depression can also occur as a symptom or comorbidity with another mental health condition.
- Depression is a common symptom of bipolar disorder.
- People with bipolar disorder experience periods of depression that may last weeks.
- They also experience periods of mania, which is an elevated mood that may cause a person to feel very happy, aggressive, or out of control.
- A qualified health professional can rule out various causes, ensure an accurate diagnosis, and provide safe and effective treatment.
- They will ask questions about symptoms, such as how long they have been present.
- A doctor may also conduct an examination to check for physical causes and order a blood test to rule out other health conditions.
- Mental health professionals often ask people to complete questionnaires to help assess the severity of their depression.
- The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, for example, has 21 questions.
- The Beck Depression Inventory is another questionnaire that helps mental health professionals measure a person’s symptoms.
Learn about the different forms of depression, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and postpartum depression. Understand the symptoms and how they can be assessed through questionnaires like the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory. Discover how mental health professionals diagnose depression and rule out other health conditions.
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