If you think you have depression, take the Anxiety Test in the Panic Center and share your Final Report with your family doctor. It is important to remember that the symptoms of depression can mimic a variety of medical conditions, such as thyroid problems and some viral infections. In addition, the side effects of some medications can also mimic the symptoms of depression. So, the first thing you should do is have a full medical evaluation.
Although it's important for you and your doctor talk about your physical symptoms, you should not overlook other aspects of your depression. Before your appointment with your doctor you may want to re-read your results from the Depression Test and tell your doctor anything else that you notice about your mood and other symptoms.
Information on both the physical and emotional aspects of depression can be very useful to your doctor when she/he makes a diagnosis. Depression is usually experienced as feelings of intense sadness, even hopelessness. Depression is often accompanied by an impaired ability to think, concentrate, and enjoy the normal pleasures of life. Your doctor will also want to know if you are eating more or less, or sleeping more or less than usual and if you are feeling more or less energetic than usual. If you have symptoms of bipolar disorder, make sure you tell your doctor about those symptoms too.
Many people with depression also suffer from anxiety, so be sure to make your doctor aware of these symptoms as well. If you have been drinking or using drugs to try to control your symptoms, let your doctor know about that too.
