Winter Depression: Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of winter depression/depression. Family history

  • What is the general health of your family members?
  • Are there any common mental disorders in your family?
  • Is there a history of bipolar or depressive disorders in the family?
  • Is there suicide attempt (attempted suicide) in the family history?

Social history

  • Is there any evidence of psychosocial stress or strain due to your family situation?
  • Is there evidence of a lack of social support?

Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).

  • “Two-question test”:
    • In the past month, have you often felt down, sadly depressed, or hopeless?
    • In the past month, have you had significantly less desire and pleasure in doing things you usually enjoy?
  • Wg. depressed mood:
    • Have you felt down or sad in the last two weeks?
    • Were there times when your mood was better or worse?
  • Wg loss of interest and joylessness:
    • Have you recently lost interest or joy in important activities (job, hobby, family)?
    • In the last two weeks, have you almost constantly felt like you don’t want to do anything?
  • Wg. increased fatigue and lack of drive:
    • Have you lost your energy?
    • Do you feel tired and fatigued all the time?
    • Do you find it difficult to accomplish everyday tasks as usual?
  • Additional symptoms::
    • Decreased concentration and attention:
      • Do you have difficulty concentrating?
      • Do you have trouble reading the newspaper, watching TV, or following a conversation?
    • Decreased self-esteem and self-confidence:
      • Do you suffer from a lack of self-confidence and/or self-esteem?
      • Do you feel as confident as usual?
    • Feelings of guilt and worthlessness:
      • Do you often blame yourself?
      • Do you often feel guilty for everything that happens?
    • Negative and pessimistic outlook on the future:
      • Do you see the future as blacker than usual?
      • Do you have plans for the future?
    • Suicidal thoughts/actions:
      • Are you feeling so bad that you are thinking about death or thinking that it would be better to be dead? *
      • Have you had or do you have specific plans to harm yourself? *
      • Have you tried to do anything to yourself? *
      • Is there anything that keeps you alive?
    • Sleep disturbances:
      • Has anything changed about your sleep?
      • Are you sleeping more/less than usual?

      Decreased appetite:

      • Have you had more/less appetite recently?
      • Have they lost weight unintentionally?

Vegetative anamnesis including nutritional anamnesis.

  • Are you overweight? Please tell us your body weight (in kg) and height (in cm).
  • Has your weight changed unintentionally?
  • Has your appetite changed?
  • Do you eat a balanced diet?
  • Do you suffer from sleep disorders?
  • Do you suffer from constipation?
  • Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
  • Do you drink alcohol? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses per day?
  • Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs (amphetamines) and how often per day or per week?

Self history incl. drug history.

  • Pre-existing conditions (mental disorders/suicide attempts (attempt to commit suicide), metabolic disorders).
  • Operations
  • Allergies
  • Medication history

Medication history

* If this question has been answered with “Yes”, an immediate visit to the doctor is required! (Information without guarantee)