How to check for depression in the hospital
Depression is a common mental health problem, and its incidence has increased in recent years as social pressure has increased. If you suspect that you or someone close to you may be suffering from depression, it is important to seek medical examination and diagnosis promptly. This article will introduce in detail the process, methods and related data of hospital examination for depression.
1. Common symptoms of depression

The symptoms of depression vary. Here are some common ones:
| Symptom type | Specific performance |
|---|---|
| emotional symptoms | Persistent depression, loss of interest, self-blame, or feelings of worthlessness |
| Physiological symptoms | Insomnia or drowsiness, changes in appetite, fatigue and fatigue |
| cognitive symptoms | Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, and difficulty making decisions |
| behavioral symptoms | Social withdrawal, slow movement or agitation, thoughts of self-harm |
2. Hospital examination process for depression
The diagnosis of depression usually requires a professional doctor to complete the following steps:
| Check steps | Specific content |
|---|---|
| 1. Initial consultation | The doctor will ask about medical history, duration and severity of symptoms |
| 2. Psychological assessment | Use standardized questionnaires such as PHQ-9, HAMD and other scales to assess |
| 3. Physical examination | Rule out depression caused by physical diseases such as thyroid dysfunction |
| 4. Laboratory examination | Routine blood tests, thyroid function, hormone levels, etc. |
| 5. Imaging examination | Brain CT or MRI examination if necessary |
3. Commonly used depression assessment scales
The following are depression assessment tools commonly used in hospitals and their characteristics:
| Scale name | Applicable objects | Number of items | Assessment focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHQ-9 | Adult patients | 9 items | Depressive symptom severity |
| HAMD | clinical research | 17-24 items | Changes in depressive symptoms |
| BDI | Teenagers and adults | 21 items | cognitive and behavioral symptoms |
| SDS | self-rating scale | 20 items | subjective experience of depression |
4. Diagnostic criteria for depression
According to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), a diagnosis of depression requires the following conditions:
| diagnostic elements | Specific requirements |
|---|---|
| core symptoms | Depressed mood or loss of interest that lasts for more than 2 weeks |
| additional symptoms | At least 4 other symptoms of depression |
| functional impairment | Impairment of social, occupational, or other important functioning |
| Exclusion criteria | Rule out medications, physical illness, or other mental disorders |
5. Precautions for depression examination
1.Preparation before inspection: Record recent symptom manifestations and duration, including changes in sleep, diet, etc.
2.On the day of inspection: Maintain a normal schedule and avoid drinking alcohol or taking medications not prescribed by your doctor.
3.psychological assessment: Answer the questions truthfully and don’t cover up your symptoms.
4.Inspection fee: Routine inspection costs about 200-500 yuan, special inspection may be higher
5.Follow-up: After diagnosis, regular follow-up visits are required to evaluate the treatment effect.
6. Treatment options for depression
Depression is often treated with a comprehensive intervention program:
| Treatment | Specific content | efficient |
|---|---|---|
| drug treatment | SSRI antidepressants, etc. | 60-70% |
| psychotherapy | CBT, IPT and other therapies | 50-60% |
| physical therapy | Transcranial magnetic stimulation, etc. | 40-50% |
| lifestyle intervention | Movement, lighting, etc. | 30-40% |
7. Medical advice for depression
1.Choose hospital: Priority will be given to psychiatric hospitals or psychology departments of general hospitals.
2.Doctor choice: Chief/deputy chief physician with psychiatric qualifications
3.Time for treatment: When symptoms last for more than 2 weeks or seriously affect life
4.accompanying person: It is recommended to be accompanied by family members during the first visit
5.Medical insurance reimbursement: Some depression treatment items can be reimbursed by medical insurance
Depression is a treatable disease, and timely medical examination is the first step to recovery. I hope that the introduction in this article can help everyone understand the depression examination process and eliminate worries about medical treatment. If you or someone close to you is experiencing symptoms of depression, it is important to seek professional help promptly.
check the details
check the details