[The Fox & the Hound]

I'm afraid I have it. But, I'm not 100% sure.

How do they diagnose with major depression, instead of just depression? Will treatment be different?

[waterknob1234]

Have you seen a psychiatrist or therapist? They are the ones who will give you the definite diagnosis and treatment. There is a depression test you can take on this forum. Having read some of your posts on this forum, I hope you go to a doctor or someone to get help. Please urge a responsible adult family member you can trust to get you some help. Love and hugs to you.

[shabur]

I agree with waterknob1234 - please see a pdoc or tdoc. They can give you an accurate diagnosis. You can find many depression tests online, but a pdoc/tdoc is the best way to determine if you do have this illness.

What I can tell you is, there are 2 types of depression. The therapist will ask you questions (probably similar to what you would find online), but the pdoc/tdoc will interpret your answers to arrive at the correct diagnosis.

[The Fox & the Hound]

Yeah. I see a therapist. But, if she thought I had major depression,what would she do? I'm still a minor

[Altered Moment]

I am very glad you asking questions Fox. The therapist may refer you or may do herself a diagnosis. She would suggest you incorporate that into your therapy and make a new plan of attack.

She may suggest meds and that you see a psychiatrist. It is totally up to you whether you want to try meds. No one can force you even if you are a minor. You have to be deemed an imminent threat to yourself or others. Then they could force you to go a hospital in that case. It would only be based on what you tells. Suicidal thoughts don't count. A serious plan may. If you really feel you are in danger you should go. Many people will only talk of thoughts and not a plan because they don't feel they have the right to force you to go, but they desperately do need the help of the pdoc and the T.

Whether it is major, moderate, or mild is based on the length and severity of your symptoms. You want to as honest as you possible can be to your current therapist. Google symptoms of depression, take the psyche test on this site. Evaluate yourself honestly and write it all down.

So you change your therapy, maybe you take meds maybe you don't. That's it. Then as you go learn as much as you can about other methods. Meditation, diet, exercise, herbs, oils, spiritual, whatever may work. Self esteem techniques.

And down the road when your ready you tell more people to broaden you support network. People that will support you only.
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[The Fox & the Hound]

Ok, so if I want meds. What will my therapist do?

[Altered Moment]

Refer you to a psychiatrist. She can't prescribe meds.

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[shabur]

You can also get your meds prescribed by your GP, but I found it best to go to a pdoc. My GP really tried to help, but didn't have a good handle on dosages, etc.

Based on your symptoms, your pdoc will start you out on a medication he/she thinks will work best with your symptoms. Be sure to not only include your mental health symptoms, but any physical aches, pains or changes you are experiencing. Most times the physical feelings are related and can be managed with the right medication that also treat your mental health symptoms. You should see your pdoc at least every 2 weeks in the beginning to determine the effectiveness. Know that it can take 4 - 6 weeks for the medication to build up in your system sufficiently to become effective.

If it works, great. If not, either the dosage will be increased, the pdoc will switch your med or will add an adjunct med. It can be a lot of trial and error because what works is determined by how your body responds. What works for one doesn't always work for another.

After finding the right med (or combination of meds) you should see your pdoc every 3 months for a med check...sooner if you start to struggle. Meds can "poop out" on us, so you may need to switch meds after being on them for a while...or they remain effective.

I'm assuming your parents are aware you are seeing a therapist. If they have questions they should talk to your T, but I would suggest you be present for that discussion. You want to know what is being discussed and be able to correct or add to the conversation. Because mental illness is not something one can see, your parents and possibly your therapist may not know everything.

Talk to your T about what is going on. Your T should be your advocate and is there to help you manage your illness.

Good luck.

[InTheProcess]

I was diagnosed with that last October - major depression, severe, recurrent- I sat in the room with the psychiatrist and TREID to explain how I felt and how long it has gone on for, and my past and what I did to cope with it. He explaned since I stopped doing those things there was no buffer anymore, which is why it was becoming too much and decided to seek help.

I believe the difference is the severity and cause, depression alone maybe be cause by an event or something while major depression is something that goes on for while, with seemingly no cause. Don't quote me on that though. I don't really know if the treatments are different because I have major depress. I imagine them being similar.

Don't be scared, get the help and find out. Honestly I was relieved that I did have something, so there was a way to try and make it better. btw I used to take those test online as well. You should go to a doc and find out. Its the first step in trying to fix it. Good luck!!!