Psychiatric Assessment for Depression and Treatment

Depression affects approximately 19.4 million adults in the United States alone (according to the National Institute of Mental Health). This equates to nearly 8 percent of the U.S. adult population. Unfortunately, many cases of depression are left untreated. Therefore, a psychiatric assessment from a licensed psychiatrist is an integral first step to a depression diagnosis and treatment plan.

What is a psychiatric assessment for depression?

A psychiatric assessment for depression is simply an evaluation of your mental health. The psychiatrist may not look specifically for symptoms of depression. Instead, they can merely assess your overall mental health and the symptoms you experience. Based on the personal interview, symptoms, lab tests, and physical examination involved in most psychiatric assessments, the psychiatrist can provide a diagnosis (if any). They may want to further rule out other possible causes of your symptoms before providing a depression diagnosis.

What happens after a depression diagnosis?

If the patient is diagnosed with depression, the next step is implementing an effective treatment plan (see below). The psychiatrist can also answer any questions the patient may have to help them feel more comfortable with their diagnosis and the next available steps.

What does depression treatment entail?

There is an all too common misconception that patients take antidepressants to treat depression. Antidepressants such as SSRIs can certainly play an integral role in depression treatment, but there is much more to a treatment plan. Talk therapy (psychotherapy), in particular, is usually incredibly important as well.

The most common type of talk therapy for depression is cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT, which typically involves multiple sessions (at least one per week in most cases). During each session, the patient discusses various topics with a licensed psychiatrist. Treatment also involves lifestyle changes, dietary changes, addressing relationships with others that may be a potential trigger of depression, and much more.

When should I schedule a psychiatric assessment?

A psychiatric assessment is a good idea anytime you (or your child) experience symptoms of a mental health disorder. The symptoms of depression, in particular, include but are far from limited to:

• Feelings of sadness
• A tendency to isolate
• Lack of interest (apathy)
• Abrupt mood changes
• Overeating or a lack of desire to eat
• Trouble falling and staying asleep

Of course, other mental health concerns mimic many symptoms of depression, such as bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The psychiatrist rules out all other possible mental health disorders to provide an accurate diagnosis during a psychiatric assessment. Sometimes, patients may receive a diagnosis of depression and other mental health disorders.