Depression Diagnosis & Treatment
At Mercy, we believe hope and healing is possible for those dealing with depression. Our goal is to help every patient get to a place of emotional wholeness and well-being.
Depression Diagnosis
Following a medical examination, your physician may refer you for further mental evaluation from a Mercy mental health professional. This evaluation is normally done by a psychiatrist, psychologist or licensed mental health counselor. To diagnose depression, you and your mental health clinician will discuss your life and daily habits.
- During this conversation, you should tell your clinician a little about your moods, behaviors and lifestyle habits like eating and sleeping.
- Your clinician will ask you about any family history of depression or other mental illness.
- Your mental health clinician may also use a series of standard written or online questionnaires to complete the evaluation.
After all the information has been collected and reviewed, your Mercy provider can diagnose any mental health issues that exist and determine the best treatment plan for your symptoms.
Depression Screening Online
Our online depression screening tool is designed to help identify if further psychological evaluation is needed. We recommend talking to your Mercy primary care physician about your symptoms to rule out if other medical conditions may be the cause.
If you or a loved one is feeling depressed and experiencing thoughts of suicide, call 911 or go to a Mercy Emergency Department for immediate help.
Depression Treatment Options
Depression is a very treatable illness and is most often treated through a combination of therapy and medication. But there are many different types of treatment that can be used alone or alongside others. While not all treatments are available in all areas, Mercy offers a variety of services across its service area.
How to Manage Depression
Even with medication and therapy, you might still experience some symptoms of recurring depression. This is especially true if you have a major depressive disorder, which is a condition that may return throughout your life. Below are ways to cope with depression long-term. Your Mercy therapist can also help you find ways to manage depression in a healthy way.
- Join a support group
- Schedule fun activities into your day, even if you don’t feel like it
- Try to get 8 hours of sleep, which is not too much and not too little
- Try to get exercise and sunlight daily
- Know your triggers and develop a list of actions or activities that can quickly boost your mood
