When Diagnosing Depression Can Be Difficult
It was very easy for my doctor to diagnose me with depression because I’d put off going to the doctor for so long that my symptoms were practically textbook. Also, by then, I’d discovered that just about everyone on both sides of my family had been diagnosed with one mental illness or another, including major depression.
You can’t begin to get better if you don’t have a correct diagnosis. So why are there a lot of depressives walking around that have been misdiagnosed? There are several reasons.
The Depressive Is Very Young
It can be really hard for doctors or therapists to feel absolutely sure that the cause could be depression for anyone under 21. Teenagers, for example, are notorius for their mood swings and sudden changes of behavior. Chronic illnesses can also lead to depression in kids, including thyroid problems, epilepsy, diabetes and abdominal migraines.
The Diagnostician Is Too Inexperienced
The bad news is that a lot of people in the medical profession just aren’t qualitfied to diagnose depression or mental illness. The good news is that they will admit it and try to help you find someone more experienced in these matters.
And remember, no matter how smart someone is, a school teacher, pastor or guy you met at the pub is not qualified to diagnose you as being depressed.
Mental Illness Symptoms Can Overlap
Everyone with depression has different symptoms and how severe those symptoms are. Some people with depression may hear voices — which is usually a symptom of psychosis. They can make you look as if you have another kind of mental illness.
You May Not Remember Some Symptoms
If you are really tired or confused because of depression, you may not think that some symptoms are worth mentioning to a doctor or you may just forget you had them. But these symptoms tend to repeat, so over time you and your doctor will finally pay attention to them.
Hope this helps.
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