Depression may be diagnosed when you talk to your doctor about feeling sad or when your doctor asks you questions and discovers that you are feeling sad. You may be seeing your doctor because you feel sad or because you have another health problem or concern.

If your doctor thinks you are depressed, he or she will ask you questions about your health and feelings. This is called a mental health assessment. Your doctor also may:

• Do a physical exam.
• Do tests to make certain your depression isn't caused by a disease such as an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or anemia. Depending on your history and risk factors, your doctor may order other tests.
• Ask you about suicide.
• Ask you about bipolar disorder if you sometimes feel energetic and elated. To learn more, see the topic Bipolar Disorder.
• Ask you about seasonal affective disorder if you only have depression at certain times of the year. To learn more, see the topic Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Early detection

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all people, starting at age 12, be screened for depression.¹ Screening for depression helps find depression early. And early treatment may help you get better faster.