Patient education: Screening for depression in adults (The Basics)

What is depression? — Depression is a disorder that makes you sad, but it is different than normal sadness. Depression can make it hard for you to work, study, or do everyday tasks.

Tell your doctor or nurse if you have symptoms of depression. These might include:

●Feeling down, depressed, or hopeless for longer than a few days

●Having little interest or pleasure in things that used to make you feel good

●Having low energy, or being tired all of the time

●Having trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much

●Having a poor appetite or eating too much

●Feeling bad about yourself, thinking that you are a failure, or feeling like you have let yourself or your family down

●Having trouble paying attention or making decisions

●Moving or speaking more slowly than normal, or being very restless and fidgety

●Having thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself

Depression is caused by problems with chemicals in the brain called "neurotransmitters." Some people might be more likely to have depression if it runs in their family. Other things might also play a role. These include hormones, certain health problems, medicines, stress, being mistreated as a child, family problems, and problems with friends or at work.

Why do doctors screen for depression? — Everyone feels sad or upset sometimes. Most of the time, these feelings last only for a few days. With depression, the symptoms can last much longer and be more severe. They can get in the way of how you normally live and be a problem for you and your family.

Depression is very common, but many people are not comfortable talking about it. Screening is important because it is a way for doctors and nurses to figure out who might need help. Depression can be treated, and the sooner you start treatment, the better it works.

What happens during depression screening? — Screening usually involves asking you specific questions about your mood and ability to enjoy yourself. You might answer the questions in person, on a written form, or online.

Your answers can help your doctor or nurse know if you might have depression. If so, they will talk to you about what to do next. Only someone trained in mental health can tell for sure if you are depressed.

What if screening shows that I might have depression? — Your doctor or nurse will talk to you more about how you are feeling. They might also do a physical exam and order lab tests.

If you do have depression, your doctor or nurse will talk to you about your treatment options. They might also refer you to a counselor. This could be a psychologist, social worker, or psychiatrist.

Get help right away if you are thinking of hurting or killing yourself! — Sometimes, people with depression think of hurting or killing themselves. If you ever feel like you might hurt yourself or someone else, help is available:

●In the US, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:

•To speak to someone, call or text 988.

•To talk to someone online, go to www.988lifeline.org/chat.

●Call your doctor or nurse, and tell them that it is an emergency.

●Call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1).

●Go to the emergency department at the nearest hospital.

What else should I know? — Depression needs to be watched closely. Your doctor or nurse might ask you to make a follow-up appointment to check on your progress. It's important to go to these appointments.

More on this topic

Patient education: Depression in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Medicines for depression (The Basics)
Patient education: Depression during and after pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: When you have depression and another health problem (The Basics)
Patient education: Screening for depression in children and teens (The Basics)

Patient education: Depression in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Depression treatment options for adults (Beyond the Basics)