How do you tell depression from the winter blues?
Wanted to see if anyone could explain what the main differences are between being a little down and having severe depression? Also, when you see a Doctor is there a specific test that is done to diagnose depression?
Thank you I appreciate it!
Tags: severe depression, from, tell, blues, Depression, winterRelated posts:
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is one of the most frequently used personality tests in mental health. The test is used by trained professionals to assist in identifying personality structure and psychopathology.
it’s a huge book, takes a long time to get through it.
winter blues can be remedied fairly easy. get some bright light in the morning, take a good brisk walk, get the heart pumping. good to go. depression, not so much. these steps are certainly a positive step, but they have a hard fight against a major depressive episode. you can get the bright morning light, you can get on a treadmill and wear yourself out, and you may not notice any change at all.
It would be difficult to diagnose the difference between winter blues, and regular depression unless everything was going well in ones life and there were no physical , emotional reasons for the depression. There is not ‘test’ for depression, no way of knowing the cause, no way of testing seratonin levels or even if they are responsible for depression etc……..
Even the MMPI is a subjective interpretation based on the observors training experience and personal beliefs and bias.
It is all guess work based on what someone thinks they know about people and depression.
You could go to a comprehensive treatment testing center like two below, or just experiment with blood tests, I think the best bet there is to test the hormone levels for thyroid, sex,adrenal,cortisol, DHEAS levels…………and go from there.
Basically vitamin/mineral, hormone, food allergies, can cause depression……..