Depression examination

Depression is a relatively common mental illness, which is mainly caused by the inability to release too much pressure from life or work. We should learn to relax ourselves, not be too emotional, and do a good job in treating depression. Patients with depression should eat more mood-relief foods and take medication as advised by their doctors. They also need to check whether there are any abnormalities in their kidney function and the functions of various organs.

What tests should be done for depression

Blood biochemistry test

Including kidney function, liver function, blood lipid cholesterol, electrolyte level measurement, etc., these tests help doctors understand the patient's basic health status.

Whole blood picture

Diseases such as anemia and chronic infection are often the cause of depressed emotions such as listlessness and fatigue. The complete blood test can help identify whether the patient has these related diseases.

Adrenal examination

The commonly used method is to measure the level of dehydroepiandrosterone. Low levels of dehydroepiandrosterone can cause the human body to experience symptoms such as listlessness, fatigue, aches and pains, inattention, and depression.

Thyroid function tests

Hyperthyroidism can cause emotional instability, anxiety, sleep disorders, etc., while hypothyroidism can cause laziness, fatigue, inattention, weight gain, drowsiness, etc. Thyroid function tests can help differentiate depression from thyroid dysfunction.

Sex hormone test

The decrease in sex hormone levels is related to the occurrence of depression. A decrease in testosterone levels in men can cause depressive symptoms; an imbalance in estrogen and progesterone in women can cause mood swings, depression, etc.

Imaging technology examination

For patients suspected of having tumors or space-occupying lesions, it is necessary to understand the conditions of the patient's brain, heart, kidneys, liver, breast, bladder, stomach, colon and other organs. CT scans, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, X-rays, fiber endoscopy and other examinations are commonly used.

Infectious disease testing

The occurrence of certain infectious diseases is often accompanied by varying degrees of depressive symptoms, so it is necessary to conduct examinations for infectious diseases such as viral hepatitis, AIDS, and syphilis.

Although depression can bring many negative effects to people, there is no need to exaggerate. This disease is not so terrible that it makes people tremble with fear. As long as you cooperate with the doctor and receive timely treatment, your body and mind will not be seriously harmed. Therefore, when you suspect that you are suffering from depression, you must first check to confirm the diagnosis and then seek treatment as soon as possible.

Which department should I go to for depression?

If you suspect you have depression, you should go to the psychiatry or psychology department. If these two departments are not available, you can see a neurology department.

How to care for depression

1. First of all, a good therapeutic interpersonal relationship should be established with the patient, and the precursor symptoms of suicide should be closely observed. Nursing staff should not let patients act alone, but can accompany patients to participate in various group activities, such as various occupational therapies and recreational therapies. When in contact with patients, they should be able to identify these trends, provide psychological support, cheer them up, and avoid accidents.

2. Place the patient in a large room that is easy for nursing staff to observe, with safe facilities, bright light, good air circulation, and a clean and comfortable treatment and recuperation environment. The walls are mainly painted in bright colors, with murals and appropriate amounts of fresh flowers hung on them, to help mobilize the patients' positive emotions and inspire their love for life.

3. Strictly implement the overall nursing management system. Nursing staff should have a high sense of responsibility and be aware of patients with negative thoughts and conduct focused inspections. Nursing staff should pay special attention to prevention, especially at night, early morning, nap, before meals, during shift changes, and holidays when there are few people in the ward.

4. Strengthen safety inspections of ward facilities. Strictly store medicines and dangerous goods to eliminate unsafe factors. When dispensing medicines, carefully check the oral cavity to prevent medicines from being hidden or accumulated and then swallowed all at once.