What are the tests that detect depression?

Since this is a mental illness, there are no clear tests or laboratory values that would indicate depression. The diagnosis is made by means of questionnaires and psychological/psychotherapeutic sessions. Questionnaires in particular are abundant, from simple online self-tests to valid standardised scales used by doctors.

These also include simple symptom checklists such as SCL-90 (“symptom-checklist” with 90 questions) or HSCL-25 (“Hopkins-symptom-checklist” with 25 questions), which are intended to determine general mental stress. More specific results are provided by the tests developed specifically for depression, such as the Hamilton Scale, which indicates the severity of depression, among other things. Other questionnaires help to distinguish a depressive disorder from other disorders, such as anxiety or personality disorders. There are therefore a vast number of tests that can be used when depression is suspected and combined at the therapist’s discretion. Although this procedure makes it complicated to recognise and define a depression, it is more reliable than self-tests, which can only lead to the suspicion of a depression.

How do you recognize pregnancy depression?

Depending on the study situation, about 10% of all pregnant women experience a more or less pronounced depressive episode, especially at the end of pregnancy. It is not always possible to clearly distinguish this from the typical mood swings and those affected often feel guilty, when they are actually expected to look forward to the coming baby. It is therefore not easy to recognise pregnancy depression.

Typical symptoms would be listlessness and joylessness, excessive irritability and a feeling of helplessness. Physical complaints such as sleep problems, massive or no appetite, concentration problems and the like also occur. Considering the enormous stress and the possible fears and worries that affect expectant mothers, pregnancy depression is understandable. Since they can also have a long-term effect on the health of mother and child, the first signs should nevertheless be taken seriously.

How do you recognize a winter depression?

Winter depression is described by doctors as a seasonal-affective disorder and occurs in the autumn and winter months when the days become shorter and temperatures fall. Typical symptoms include (as with depression in general) a pronounced joylessness and listlessness, tiredness, concentration problems, exhaustion and the like. In contrast to seasonal depression, however, patients suffer less from loss of appetite and shortened sleep, but rather from an increase in appetite and a greater need for sleep.

A real craving for sweets and carbohydrates in general is not unusual for a winter depression. People who are susceptible to this suffer more or less from these symptoms every year. The most likely trigger is the lack of light and the resulting disturbance of the day-night rhythm and hormone balance of the body. So if the above symptoms occur at about the same time as the hours of sunshine are shortened, winter depression is likely.